The need to continue aid and supply of equipment and ammunition in Ukraine, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired today’s (Wednesday) meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

Allies strongly condemned Russia’s indiscriminate strikes and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Ukraine’s defenses, NATO said in a statement.

Jens Stoltenberg underlined that “Ukraine continues to intercept Russian missiles on a daily basissaving countless lives. But Ukraine’s ability to maintain its defense requires increased supply and more support. In the wake of the latest Russian attack, the Allies reaffirmed today that they are stepping up military aid to Ukraine. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and ammunition it needs to defend itself against Russian invasion. This is vital to Ukraine’s ability to stay in the fight.”

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Allies have made an unprecedented contribution to the defense of Ukraine, the Alliance notes. At the NATO Summit in July, several Allies announced that they would send Ukraine additional strategic air defense systems, including more Patriot arrays, and the Allies agreed that together they would provide at least 40 billion euros in security assistance over the next year.

The meeting was held at the level of ambassadors and was convened at the request of Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov briefed Allies via video on the current situation.

The NATO-Ukraine Council was created in NATO Summit in July 2023 and serves as a forum for joint consultations, decision-making and activities between NATO and Ukraine. Ambassadors from NATO member countries and Ukrainian officials usually attend council meetings.