Vilnius (EFE).- The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, stated on Tuesday that Ukraine “is running out of ammunition” and that “everything possible must be done to supply it”, although the decision to hand over the controversial bombs of cluster is an individual decision of each country.
“The truth is that, at least in the short term, Ukraine is running out of ammunition, so we have to do everything we can to supply it. Then, on the specific question of exactly what type of ammunition, that is a national decision of each and every one of the allies,” Stoltenberg said during the forum prior to the NATO leaders’ summit that is being held today and tomorrow in Vilnius. .
In response to whether the US decision to deliver cluster bombs to Ukraine, vetoed by more than a hundred countries, has divided allies, Stoltenberg said that “some allies have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions; others, no.
“This is not a NATO position. The allies have different positions on that convention. What we have to understand is that cluster munitions have been used on both sides in this war,” he commented.
He differentiated, in any case, between the use that Russia makes, “to invade another country”, and Ukraine, “to defend itself against Russian aggression”.
The Norwegian politician recalled that the allies need to restock their arsenals, depleted by the massive delivery of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, and for this they have decided to strengthen the industrial base and place joint orders.
“Little by little production is increasing,” he said, but acknowledged that “it takes some time to have all the necessary capacity available” so “in the meantime, ammunition supply is a challenge.”
kyiv aspirations to join NATO
Stoltenberg also referred to kyiv’s aspirations to join the Alliance, and hoped that the allied leaders “reaffirm” during the summit that “Ukraine will become a member.”
Specifically, they are studying a package with three elements, the first consisting of intensifying practical support through a multi-year program that guarantees full interoperability of Ukrainian forces with those of NATO.
The second tries to raise the level of the political relationship through the creation of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a forum in which both parties will participate as equals.
The third refers to removing the Membership Action Plan (MAP) requirement, a step that applicants to join the Alliance must complete.
“Because Ukraine has come a long way” since the allies decided in 2008 that Ukraine would become a member in the future and now “it is much closer to NATO,” he justified.
“So I think the time has come to reflect on that,” he concluded.