Ukraine gaining ground against Russia, claims NATO chief

During a surprise visit to Kyiv on Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Ukrainian forces were “gradually gaining ground” in their counteroffensive against Russian forces. Stoltenberg declared that “every metre that Ukrainian forces regain is a metre that Russia loses” during a press conference he had alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “And there is a stark contrast: Ukrainians are fighting for their families, their future, their freedom,” he added. “Moscow is fighting for imperial delusions.” Zelenskiy emphasised the necessity for increased air defence in Ukraine against Russian attacks, noting that Moscow had employed over 40 Shahed drones in raids against Ukraine just the night before. “And so it is almost every night. In the conditions of such intense attacks against Ukrainians, against our cities, ports - which are important for global food security - we need a corresponding increase in pressure on Russia and a corresponding increase in our air shield,” he said. According to Stoltenberg, he is “constantly pushing” NATO members to increase their assistance to Ukraine and expedite deliveries, “not least” of air defence systems. NATO currently has broad-reaching framework agreements with ammunition suppliers totaling 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion), including 1 billion euros in definite purchases, according to Stoltenberg. Such agreements, according to him, would enable NATO allies to replenish their depleted stocks while continuing to supply Ukraine with weapons, a crucial component in the conflict. Additionally, Stoltenberg denounced Russian operations along the Romanian border with Ukraine, another NATO member. Although he claimed there was no proof that these attacks were an intentional retaliation against Romania, he called them “reckless” and “destabilising”. (With agency inputs)