NATO members reached a consensus to prioritize bolstering Ukraine’s air defense systems to protect its infrastructure from Russian attacks, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday. The decision followed a meeting with Ukraine’s foreign minister on Tuesday evening.
“There was a clear agreement around the table last night that aiding Ukraine, particularly in safeguarding its infrastructure, has to be a priority,” Rutte told reporters. “I’m confident that allies will follow through in the coming days and weeks, ensuring that whatever can be supplied to Ukraine will be delivered.”
Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, emphasized the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine as a prerequisite for peace. “If we want peace in Ukraine, we will need to provide security guarantees. There is no more cost-effective security guarantee than NATO’s Article 5,” Landsbergis said, referencing the alliance’s collective defense commitment.
Call for increased defense spending
British Foreign Minister David Lammy, speaking ahead of another NATO meeting on Wednesday, urged allies to take defense spending more seriously. “Russia’s involvement is evident in many of the wars currently unfolding around the world,” Lammy said, stressing the need for NATO nations to ramp up their contributions to collective defense.
The meeting underscored NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine as it faces ongoing Russian aggression. The focus on infrastructure protection aligns with broader efforts to ensure Ukraine’s resilience amid repeated missile and drone attacks targeting its critical services.
Further announcements on specific aid packages and security measures are expected in the coming weeks.
