Ukrainian forces are ‘gradually gaining ground’, says NATO chief

KIEV (Reuters) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, on an unannounced visit to Kiev, said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces were “gradually gaining ground” in their counteroffensive against Russian forces.

In a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Stoltenberg said that “every meter that Ukrainian forces regain is a meter that Russia loses.”

“And there is a stark contrast: Ukrainians are fighting for their families, their future, their freedom,” he added. “Moscow fights over imperial deceptions”.

Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s need to have more air defense against Russian attacks, saying that Moscow had used more than 40 Shahed drones in strikes against Ukraine the night before alone.

“And so it happens almost every night. In conditions of such intense attacks against Ukrainians, against our cities and ports, which are important for global food security, we need a corresponding increase in pressure on Russia and a corresponding increase in our shield aerial.,” he said.

Stoltenberg said he was “constantly pressing” NATO allies to provide more support to Ukraine and accelerate the delivery, “not least” of air defense systems.

Stoltenberg announced that NATO now had general framework contracts with arms companies worth 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) for munitions, including 1 billion euros in firm orders.

He said such contracts would allow NATO members to replenish their depleted reserves while continuing to supply ammunition to Ukraine, a key factor in the war.

Stoltenberg also condemned Russian attacks near Ukraine’s border with NATO member Romania. He said there was no evidence that such attacks were a deliberate attack on Romania, but he called them “reckless” and “destabilizing.”

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