NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Fredriksen, and the Prime Minister of Czechia, Petr Fiala, to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (17 April 2024).
The leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine and agreed that NATO should have a greater role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine over the longer term. The Secretary General highlighted the important contributions of the Netherlands, Denmark and Czechia: "Yesterday, Denmark announced a major new package of aid. The Netherlands has just announced 4 billion euros in additional military support and the Czech-led initiative is receiving hundreds of millions of euros for more artillery shells for Ukraine."
Mr Stoltenberg said that this support comes on top of the unprecedented aid already being provided, including F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands. He welcomed that Germany is also sending an additional Patriot system to Ukraine: "I am also encouraged by indications that the U.S. Congress may take up further aid to Ukraine in the coming days."
The Secretary General said that Ukraine needs even more from NATO and delays in support have consequences on the ground every day: "That is why if Allies face a choice between meeting NATO capability targets and providing more aid to Ukraine, my message is clear: Send more to Ukraine."
