Stoltenberg in Kiev says Ukrainian forces are "gradually" gaining ground
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has made a surprise trip to Kiev to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the situation of the counteroffensive in the east of the country.
The Norwegian politician was optimistic about the situation, saying that Ukrainian forces are "gradually" regaining ground. During the joint press conference with Zelensky, Stoltenberg recalled that "every metre that Ukrainian forces regain is a metre that Russia loses", as reported by Reuters.
He also highlighted the high motivation of Ukrainian soldiers, saying that they are fighting "for their families, their future and their freedom" while Moscow "fights for imperial deceptions".
In the Ukrainian capital, Stoltenberg also condemned Russian attacks near the border with NATO member Romania as "reckless" and "destabilising".
Honoured to be back in Kyiv to meet President @ZelenskyyUa. We discussed #Ukraine’s most urgent needs & the next steps in #NATO’s support. The stronger Ukraine becomes, the closer we are to ending Russia’s aggression. pic.twitter.com/6otciNMbJl
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 28, 2023
Zelensky, meanwhile, stressed the need to strengthen air defences to deal with Russian attacks, noting that Moscow had used more than 40 Iranian Shahed drones in attacks on Ukrainian territory just the night before.
"And this is the case almost every night," lamented the Ukrainian leader, who explained that, because of these attacks, "a corresponding increase in pressure on Russia and a corresponding increase in the air shield" was needed. "We need to overcome this winter together, to protect our energy infrastructure and people's lives," Zelensky added.
I met with @JensStoltenberg in Kyiv.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 28, 2023
Substantial talks, as they should be between de facto allies. It is only a matter of time before Ukraine becomes a de jure one as well.
We discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense further in order to protect people from Russian terror. pic.twitter.com/WxHdWWSsJw
Zelensky also thanked international partners for their help and support, saying that the results of cooperation with NATO were evident. In particular, he welcomed the delivery of battle tanks, aircraft and other weapons that strengthen Ukraine's defence.
In this regard, Stoltenberg stressed that he was "constantly pressing" NATO allies to provide more support to Ukraine by speeding up the delivery of aid. He also announced that NATO has contracts with arms companies worth 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) for ammunition.
These contracts, according to the NATO leader, will allow NATO members to replenish their depleted stockpiles while continuing to supply Ukraine with ammunition, a key factor for the national forces.
❗️Ukraine will receive more air defense systems, – Stoltenberg in Kyiv
— Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) September 28, 2023
NATO Secretary-General noted that Ukraine's future is in NATO.
Main statements from President Volodymyr Zelensky after the meeting with the Alliance's Secretary-General:
▪️Currently, there are no facts of… pic.twitter.com/4YfvC2UZGi
Speaking from Kiev, Stoltenberg encouraged NATO members and international partners to support Ukrainian forces militarily. For, "the stronger Ukraine becomes, the closer we are to an end to Russian aggression".
"Moscow could lay down its arms and end its war today. Ukraine does not have that option. Ukraine's surrender would not mean peace. It would mean a brutal Russian occupation. Peace at any price would not be peace at all," he added.
This video shows the combat work of the Air Force on the night of Sept. 26, in the south of Ukraine. They used German-made anti-aircraft-gun Gepards to strike Shahed-136/131 UAVs.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) September 26, 2023
Video: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces / Telegram pic.twitter.com/LztN340G2n
Stoltenberg's visit to Kiev comes just a day after Russia accused Ukraine's Western partners of helping to plan and carry out last week's missile attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula.
According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the attack was carried out with the help of US and UK security agencies. According to the Russian diplomat, NATO satellites and reconnaissance aircraft also played a key role in the attack.
