NATO leader criticizes delayed delivery of weapons to Ukraine

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has admitted that NATO countries have not fulfilled their promises to Ukraine in a timely manner, leaving Kyiv vulnerable to Russian advances on the battlefield. Stoltenberg made the remarks during a news conference in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he acknowledged the serious consequences of the delays in military support for Ukraine.

The lack of ammunition, air defense, and deep strike capabilities has allowed Russian forces to make incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian troops to make tactical retreats from several villages. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed on Monday that its forces had taken control of the village of Semenivka, further highlighting the urgent need for military assistance for Ukraine.

Despite repeated assurances from Western partners to support Ukraine, delays in US military aid and a lack of production capacity for military hardware in Europe have hindered efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. However, Stoltenberg assured that more weapons and ammunition, including Patriot missile systems, are on the way to help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks.

President Zelenskyy emphasized the need to expedite the delivery of Western military supplies to Ukraine, as the country races to deploy critical new aid to check the Russian advance. The Pentagon also acknowledged the setback caused by delays in congressional approval for additional spending on military assistance to Ukraine.

As Ukraine and its Western allies work to strengthen Kyiv’s defenses, the promise of increased military support from NATO offers hope for Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.