NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined the latest online meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, where he emphasized new formats of assistance to Ukraine.
The meeting was hosted by the German Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, and the UK Defense Secretary, John Healey, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, citing NATO’s press service.
Speaking to Defense Ministers who joined the meeting, the Secretary General “highlighted the initiative that he and U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week to boost support for Ukraine by opening additional US assets to Ukraine through investment by Allies in Europe and Canada.”
“This new initiative is open-ended and has already seen numerous Allies express interest in contributing,” the statement reads.
The initiative complements a range of other initiatives through which Allies support Ukraine and provides new access to U.S. equipment and technology that Ukraine has requested for urgent delivery.
“This voluntary effort will be coordinated by NATO, given the experience and infrastructure the Alliance provides, including through its command in Wiesbaden, Germany – NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) – that is already coordinating support for Ukraine and has logistical hubs in the eastern part of the Alliance,” the press service said.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group will also continue to play a vital role.
“This initiative and others bring together the three key decisions made by leaders at the NATO Summit in The Hague just a few weeks ago: increasing defense investment, ramping up defense production, and supporting Ukraine. The aim of all Allied security assistance to Ukraine is to bring the conflict to a just and lasting end as quickly as possible,” the statement said.
The 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is being held online today, July 21.
During the session, newly appointed Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal presented Ukraine’s key expectations regarding military assistance.
Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the next military aid package, which will include five Patriot air defense systems, 220,000 rounds for Gepard anti-aircraft systems, and funding for long-range drones for Ukraine.
Source: Rutte highlights new opportunity for support at Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting
