• Monday, 08 July 2024

NATO ministers meet at 'pivotal moment' for alliance's security

NATO ministers meet at 'pivotal moment' for alliance's security
NATO defence ministers were meeting in Brussels on Wednesday for a two-day meeting focused on the alliance's support for Ukraine. NATO headquarters is hosting the defence ministers at a "pivotal moment for our security," alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said on his arrival. The gathering comes after Russia launched a wave of missile strikes by land, sea and air on many Ukrainian cities on Monday, killing more than a dozen people and damaging energy infrastructure. The alliance's 30 defence ministers are due to discuss Ukraine's most urgent needs with Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and more air defence is "the top priority," Stoltenberg said. Stoltenberg also praised Germany's delivery to Ukraine of the Iris-T SLM air defence system to fend off future missile attacks. NATO ministers are expected to decide to increase stockpiles of munitions and equipment to strengthen the alliance's defence and deterrence capacities amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Minister are also due to discuss the alliance's nuclear capabilities ahead of NATO's annual nuclear training exercise and the need to better protect critical infrastructure after recent acts of alleged sabotage. NATO aspirants Sweden and Finland are invited to the gathering. On Wednesday afternoon, the United States is to hold consultations of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, which coordinates arms deliveries to Ukraine. Representatives of about 50 countries are to attend the meeting, according to the US Defence Department.