Stoltenberg: This is a very important support, but we also need to focus on legacy systems

“Different European countries have declared the transfer of armored equipment to Ukraine, this is very important support,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Ramstein. He stressed that countries supporting Ukraine “must focus not only on sending new weapons to Kyiv, but also on finding ammunition for older systems and helping to maintain them.”

A meeting of defense ministers from 50 countries began in the morning at the American Ramstein base in Germany. It was also attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

“Different European countries have declared the transfer of armored equipment to Ukraine, and this is very important support,” Stoltenberg said. — This is about German Mardera combat vehicles, Great Britain decided to send Challengers, Poland and France also declared to send tanks – he clarified.

“If Russia wins, it will be a tragedy for Ukraine, but also a threat to all of us,” Stoltenberg said. “Russia's goal is to win on the battlefield,” he said. He added that if the war is to end at the negotiating table, military support should be provided to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Stoltenberg: We also need to focus on legacy systems

In an interview with Reuters, the head of NATO said that countries supporting Ukraine must focus not only on sending new weapons to Kiev, but also on looking for ammunition for older systems.

“We must ensure that the weapons we have already sent can function as they should,” Stoltenberg said. “If Russia wins, it will be a tragedy for Ukraine, but also a threat to all of us,” he said.

The dispute over the supply of tanks to Ukraine
— This is a crucial moment. We can't slow down. The Ukrainians are looking at us. The Kremlin is watching us. History is looking at us – said US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin at the beginning of the meeting, emphasizing that the talks are aimed at supporting the defenders of Ukraine.

Among Western countries, the supply of battle tanks to Ukraine is a contentious issue. Kyiv emphasizes that they are what it needs most. The German side informed that the decision regarding the Leopard tanks has not yet been made.