NATO Secretary General says Ukraine can expect more heavy weapons "in near future"

Ukraine can count on increased supplies of heavy weapons from Western countries in the near future.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper, reports European Pravda with reference to AFP.

Kyiv has long pushed for heavier weaponry, including tanks, but Western nations have been reluctant, citing fears of becoming drawn into the war or provoking Russia.

"The recent pledges for heavy warfare equipment are important – and I expect more in the near future," Stoltenberg said.

These comments were made prior to the meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, which coordinates the supply of weapons to Kyiv, which will take place next week at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

"We are in a decisive phase of the war," Stoltenberg said. "Therefore, it is important that we provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to win."

Earlier this month, France, Germany and the United States respectively promised French AMX-10 RC light tanks, 40 German Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

However, pressure is growing on the allies to go further and agree to the delivery of battle tanks.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday pledged to provide 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, making it the first Western country to supply the heavy tanks Kyiv has been calling for.

Stoltenberg said Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a mistake by attacking Ukraine.

"He overestimated the strength of his own armed forces. We see their missteps, their lack of morale, the leadership problems, the poor equipment," he said.

But the Russians "have demonstrated that they are prepared to take heavy losses to achieve their goals".

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