NATO provided Ukraine with over $70bln in military aid: Chief
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NATO, according to its Secretary-General, has given Ukraine more than $70 billion in military aid since the outbreak of the war last year.
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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference, ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, April 3, 2023 (AP)
NATO member states have provided 65 billion euros ($70 billion) in military aid to Kiev in light of the ongoing Ukraine war, the alliance's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Monday, pledging to continue support "for as long as it takes."
"We are united in our determination to stay the course and support Ukraine for as long as it takes. [NATO] Allies have delivered 65 billion euros of military aid," the NATO chief said ahead of a meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers from April 4-5 in Brussels.
Stoltenberg also welcomed the start of deliveries of Western tanks and other armored vehicles to Ukraine.
"This can make a real difference on the front lines," Stoltenberg underlined.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana revealed Thursday that the alliance's military aid to Ukraine amounted to approximately $70.8 billion over the previous year.
"Over the last year NATO allies have provided financial humanitarian and military support to Ukraine worth close to 150 billion euros, including 65 billion euros of military support," Geoana said in a lecture at Imperial College London.
Emphasizing the geopolitical importance of the war in Ukraine, Geoana said that NATO expects the pertinent war with Russia to shape global security for decades to come. His lecture succeeded in the display of dual-use defense and commercial technologies.
Read more: Lavrov says NATO is already at war with Russia in Ukraine
Furthermore, Reuters reported that the United States was expected to announce on Monday a new military aid to Ukraine worth $2.6 billion.
The new arms package might include radars for air surveillance, anti-tank missile systems, and fuel trucks. Around six different types of ammunition, including tank ammo and NASAMS rounds (air defense system), are also expected to be included in the list that could be finalized this weekend, three US officials told the news outlet speaking on condition of anonymity, adding however that the worth of the aid and some equipment could be changed till then.
Precision-guided munitions, crossing, and bridging equipment to facilitate maneuvers for Ukrainian vehicles and military recovery vehicles that are used to tow damaged military hardware and tanks are also being considered for the package.
Around $2.1 billion from the aid package will be funded by Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) used to purchase weapons directly from manufacturers rather than from US army stocks.
