New alliance formed

NATO countries want to supply Kiev with 1 million drones

Ukrainian soldiers train with FPV drones in the Donetsk region.(Bild: APA/AFP/Anatolii STEPANOV)

In order to support Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion, several NATO countries want to supply it with one million drones. Six countries have signed a declaration of intent to this effect, led by Latvia and the UK.

The Latvian Ministry of Defense stated that they are committed to investing resources in drone production and supplying drones and spare parts to Ukraine. Tests with drones and troop training are also planned.

"Drones effective in reconnaissance and destruction"
"Drone technologies have significantly changed the strategy and tactics of warfare. Drone technology also plays an important role in Ukraine's arsenal and is effective in reconnaissance and destruction of the enemy," said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds according to the press release. Prior to this, the international contact group for the coordination of weapons aid for Ukraine - the so-called Ramstein format with over 50 countries, in which Austria also participates as an observer - had met at NATO.

Ukrainian soldiers train with FPV drones in the Donetsk region.(Bild: APA/AFP/Anatolii STEPANOV)

The UK specifically announced the delivery of thousands of additional drones to Ukraine. This drone aid package as part of an international initiative has a volume of 200 million pounds (around 234 million euros) and will be driven forward together with Latvia, announced British Defense Minister Grant Shapps. Together, the UK and Latvia would provide Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend itself and win this war to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin "fails with his illegal and barbaric ambitions", explained Shapps.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was also present at the meeting in Brussels.(Bild: APA/AFP/JOHN THYS)

Latvia itself reportedly wants to provide at least ten million euros for the development of the drone coalition within a year. The Ministry of Defense in Riga has received information about the drones required by Ukraine and has begun talks with local manufacturers.

Stoltenberg warns against blocking US aid
The defense ministers of the NATO countries are currently meeting in Brussels to discuss further support for Ukraine. On the sidelines of the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urgently warned the US House of Representatives against blocking the military aid for Kiev planned by the Biden administration (see video above). "We are already seeing the effects of the fact that the US has not yet been able to make a decision," said the Norwegian on Thursday, referring to warnings of an ammunition shortage in Ukraine. He was confident that an agreement would be reached.

Jens Stoltenberg leads the North Atlantic Treaty Organization(Bild: APA/AFP/JOHN THYS)

"If we let President Putin win, it would not only be a tragedy for the Ukrainians, but also dangerous for us," Stoltenberg added. It was in our own security interests to continue our support for Ukraine. Stoltenberg did not initially comment on the exact nature of the already noticeable effects of the delays. However, it has long been said in alliance circles that there is an acute shortage of ammunition in Ukraine.

Billion-euro package awaits approval
After long delays, one of the two chambers of the US Congress, the Senate, recently approved plans for new Ukraine aid worth around 60 billion US dollars (just under 56 billion euros). However, the approval of the House of Representatives is still open, as the opposition Republicans have a narrow majority there. MPs from the right-wing fringe of the party are opposing further US aid for Ukraine.

"Fighting for the security of every country"
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in Brussels on Thursday that he also wanted to meet Republican MPs on the fringes of the Munich Security Conference, which begins this Friday, and campaign for approval. "There must be no doubt that we stand united on the side of Ukraine," he said. "It is not just a fight by Ukraine against the Russian aggressor. It is a fight for the rules-based international order, for the security of every country from such an imperialist attack." That is why we must take responsibility and help wherever we can.