NATO, Czechia, Denmark, Netherlands Highlight Importance Of Air Defense Support For Ukraine

NATO, Czechia, Denmark, and the Netherlands on Wednesday pledged further support for Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg recalled, in a joint news conference held in Brussels with the prime ministers of the three countries, that Ukraine needs air defense systems.

"Yesterday, Denmark announced a major new package of aid. The Netherlands has just announced 4 billion euros ($4.25 billion) in additional military support. And the Czech-led initiative is receiving hundreds of millions of euros for more artillery shells for Ukraine. And then of course, Germany announced it will send another Patriot system to Ukraine," Stoltenberg explained.

"All of this comes on top of unprecedented aid … being provided, including F16s from Denmark and from the Netherlands," he added, and voiced hope that "the US Congress may take up further aid to Ukraine in the coming days."

"In our meeting today, we agreed that NATO should have a greater role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine. We also agree that Ukraine needs predictable financial support for the long haul," Stoltenberg stressed.

The NATO chief answered a question about Patriot batteries and said Europe has significantly less than 100 batteries.

"But that's also reflecting the fact that the United States which is the ally with the most Patriot batteries, has global responsibilities," he added.

Stoltenberg also replied to a question about the alliance's capabilities to handle two conflicts at the same time, including one in Ukraine and the other in the Middle East.

"NATO has the capability of handling more than one conflict at the time and NATO allies have that capability. Together we represent 30% of the world's military might and we have strong allies, and we have allies with many high-end capabilities, including the Allies which are here," he ensured.

Dutch Premier Mark Rutte said, for his part, that there are three key points in the air defense issue.

"One is producing more ourselves for the medium term. Looking at what else we can deliver to Ukraine from our own stocks and purchasing what's available around the world," he said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen hailed Germany's recent decision to donate another Patriot system to Kyiv.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed optimism regarding the US Congress' eventual decision.

"I believe that France deliveries will be in Ukraine on June. I am a little bit optimistic that the aid package for Ukraine will be submitted for a vote and passed at the end of this week or next week. I hope that this optimism will be proven right. It is very important for Ukraine, ... very important for our cooperation with the United States. And it's very important for European security," he said. -