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☆ Biden planning to convene ‘European Quad’ during Germany visit this week, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The four leaders had planned to meet the prior week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Ramstein Air Base, a meeting that was scrapped when Biden postponed his foreign travel as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the southeastern US. Biden pledged to reschedule the trip to Germany, but the outlook for the meeting of the so-called European Quad, had been unclear. Zelensky went ahead with his planned travel to Germany on Friday for a bilateral visit with Scholz, in which the German leader pledged an additional $1.5 billion in new aid. Zelensky met with Vice President Kamala Harris during a visit to Washington in September and met in person with former President Donald Trump, too. This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Persons: Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, Milton, Zelensky, Scholz, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Organizations: Washington CNN, Ramstein Air Base, Russia, Kiel Institute Locations: Berlin, Ukraine, Germany, France, German, Washington

☆ NATO fighter pilots break down their Eurofighter vs F-35 dogfight with cockpit video and paper airplanes
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two NATO fighter jet pilots discussed their recent Eurofighter vs F-35 dogfighting competition. The pilots used paper airplanes to talk about their fight and their various maneuvers. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementTwo NATO fighter jet pilots recently compared notes after going head-to-head in a "dogfight" in the skies above Germany. Patrick Pearce discussed their battle during a dogfighting competition at Ramstein Air Base and the differences between their respective Eurofighter and F-35 jets.

Persons: —, Alexander Grant, Patrick Pearce, they've, Grant, Leonardo, Pearce, Lockheed Martin, they'd, I've, Valerie R, Seelye, weren't Organizations: NATO, US, Service, US Department of Defense, Ramstein Air Base, Eurofighter, US Air Force, Airbus Defense, Space, BAE Systems, Lockheed, German Eurofighter, Allied Air Command Locations: Germany, Europe, European, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, United States

☆ Lloyd Austin says US support for Ukraine remains resolute even as security aid remains stalled in Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ramstein Air Base, Germany CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized Tuesday that the US “will not let Ukraine fail,” as Congress continues to delay critical funding for Ukraine aid. “So, our message today is clear: The United States will not let Ukraine fail. This coalition will not let Ukraine fail. And the free world will not let Ukraine fail.”The trip is Austin’s first official trip abroad since his prostate cancer procedure in December. “And Ukraine continues to down Russian warplanes.”The future of supplemental aid in Congress remains unclear.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ”, Austin, Rustem Umerov, “, Russia “, ” Austin, Mike Johnson, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Johnson, Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Ramstein Air Base, Germany CNN — US, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ukrainian Defense, CNN, Russia, Russian Navy, Republican, ”, Pentagon, Army Locations: Germany, Ukraine, United States, Russia, Europe, “, Oklahoma

☆ White House stands by Defense Secretary Austin as bipartisan furor grows over secret ICU stay
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said there are no plans other "than for Secretary Austin to stay in the job." He remains focused on conducting his duties as Secretary of Defense in defense of our nation." The Pentagon's lawyers were examining whether any laws were broken when Austin failed to report his medical condition. Austin's secret hospitalization came during a week when the U.S. was weighing several notable national security matters, including military action in the Middle East. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that Biden maintains "complete confidence" in Austin.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Lloyd Austin, John Kirby, Austin, Elise Stefanik, Pat Ryder, Kirby, Staff Kelly Magsamen, Jake Sullivan, Kathleen Hicks, Jan, Joe Biden, Biden, Mike Rogers, Adam Smith, Sen, Jack Reed, Reed, Karine Jean, Pierre, Monday Organizations: Defense, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ramstein Air Base, White, National Security, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Congressional, Republican, Republicans, Pentagon, Staff, NSC, National, House, House Armed Services, Armed Services, Department, Department of Defense Locations: Ukraine, Ramstein, Miesenbach, Germany, Austin, U.S, Baghdad, Iran

[1/4] A formation of Israeli tanks is positioned near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 21, 2023. Iran, a longtime backer of Gaza's rulers Hamas, finds itself in a quandary as it tries to manage the spiralling crisis, according to nine Iranian officials with direct knowledge of the thinking within the clerical establishment. "We are in contact with our friends Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah," Vahid Jalalzadeh, the head of parliament's National Security Committee said on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media. Iran's foreign ministry didn't respond to a request for comment about the country's response to the unfolding crisis, while Israeli military authorities declined to comment. "Iran's nuanced position emphasizes the delicate balance it must maintain between regional interests and internal stability," said the former senior Iranian official.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, wouldn't, Avi Melamed, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Israel, Israel didn't, Khamenei, Joe Biden, Biden, John Kirby, Washington, Jon Alterman, Parisa Hafezi, Jonathan Saul, Jerusalem, Arshad Mohammed, Laila Bassam, Samia Nakhoul, Michael Georgy, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Islamic, parliament's National Security, Israel, Wednesday, Hezbollah, U.S, Germany's Ramstein Air Base, House, State Department, CSIS, Swiss, Iran, Iranian, Thomson Locations: Israel's, Gaza, Israel, Rights DUBAI, Iran, Tehran, U.S, Lebanon, Yemen, United States, Islamic Republic, Iranian, Lebanese, Syria, Iraq, Washington, America, GAZA, LEBANON, China, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Beirut, Paritosh, New York

☆ Iran's Quandary: How to Stay Out of Israel's War on Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

Iran, a longtime backer of Gaza's rulers Hamas, finds itself in a quandary as it tries to manage the spiralling crisis, according to nine Iranian officials with direct knowledge of the thinking within the clerical establishment. "We are in contact with our friends Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah," Vahid Jalalzadeh, the head of parliament's National Security Committee said on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media. Iran's foreign ministry didn't respond to a request for comment about the country's response to the unfolding crisis, while Israeli military authorities declined to comment. Khamenei, the supreme leader, has denied Iran was involved in the attack, though he praised the damage inflicted on Israel. "Iran's nuanced position emphasizes the delicate balance it must maintain between regional interests and internal stability," said the former senior Iranian official.

Persons: Parisa Hafezi, Jonathan Saul, Arshad Mohammed DUBAI, wouldn't, Avi Melamed, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Israel, Israel didn't, Khamenei, Joe Biden, Biden, John Kirby, Washington, Jon Alterman, Jerusalem, Arshad Mohammed, Laila Bassam, Samia Nakhoul, Michael Georgy, Pravin Char Organizations: Reuters, Islamic, parliament's National Security, Israel, Wednesday, Hezbollah, U.S, Germany's Ramstein Air Base, House, State Department, CSIS, Swiss, Iran, Iranian Locations: Iran, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, U.S, Lebanon, Yemen, United States, Islamic Republic, Iranian, Lebanese, Syria, Iraq, Washington, America, GAZA, LEBANON, China, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Beirut, Paritosh, New York

☆ Biden to seek $60 bln for Ukraine, $14 bln for Israel - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press onboard of Air Force One en route from Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Acquire Licensing RightsOct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will ask Congress for $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, a source familiar with his plan told Reuters. The request will also include $10 billion for humanitarian aid, $14 billion for border security and $7 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, the source said. Half of the $60 billion Biden is requesting for Ukraine would go toward replacing and modernizing U.S. weapons stocks, the source said. Biden was scheduled to outline the request in a White House speech at 8 p.m.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Biden, Patricia Zengerle, Dan Whitcomb, Howard Goller Organizations: Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Germany, Ukraine, U.S, Washington

☆ Trump and GOP Rep. Gosar suggest Joint Chiefs boss Mark Milley deserves death
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump and Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona suggested that outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley is a traitor who deserves to be executed. Milley in September 2021 told Congress he had made it clear to Chinese officials that Trump was not planning to attack China in his final weeks as president. "My task at that time was to de-escalate," Milley told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "In a better society, quislings like the strange sodomy-promoting General Milley would be hung," Gosar wrote. Gosar also called Milley, a four-star general with more than four decades of military service, a "traitor."

Persons: Mark Milley, WASHINGTON —, Donald Trump, Paul Gosar, Staff Mark Milley, Trump, Milley, Nancy Pelosi, Trump's, Gosar, Defense James Mattis, Belleau Organizations: Ukraine, U.S, Ramstein Air Base, WASHINGTON, Republican Rep, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Army, Senate Armed Services Committee, National Guard, Capitol, CNBC, Defense, Marines, Marine Corps Locations: Germany, Arizona, China, United States, American, Paris, U.S, Aisne, Belleau Wood, France

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged allied defense leaders Tuesday to “dig deep" and provide more air defense systems for Ukraine, to help the country block increasing barrages of Russian missiles. “Air defense is saving lives,” Austin said as he opened the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein air base in Germany. “So I urge this group to continue to dig deep on ground-based air defense for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly pushed for the longer-distance weapons. The Ramstein meeting also marks Milley's final session as U.S. joint chiefs chairman.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Bill Blair, Austin, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, “, —, Mark Milley, Milley, Rob Bauer Organizations: RAMSTEIN AIR, —, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ramstein, enrage, The Army Tactical Missile, Abrams, U.S . Defense, Washington , D.C, Republican, Nations, ” Military, Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO Locations: Germany, Ukraine, U.S, enrage Moscow, Europe, Washington ,, Netherlands, Ramstein

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy to visit US Congress next week, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Punchbowl News on Friday said Zelenskiy's visit with Congress was tentatively scheduled for Thursday. The Washington Post also reported Zelenskiy was set to travel to the U.S. Congress on Thursday, while the Wall Street Journal said he would meet with U.S. lawmakers. Representatives for Zelenskiy and congressional leaders could not be immediately reached for comment on the reports. Zelenskiy is expected to head to Washington next week following his trip to New York for the U.N. General Assembly meeting, the U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday. His visit comes as Biden, a Democrat, presses U.S. lawmakers to provide an additional $24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs amid Russia's ongoing invasion.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Biden, Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Susan Heavey, Alison Williams, Chizu Organizations: Ramstein Air Base, Rights, U.S, Congress, Punchbowl, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, U.S ., Reuters, U.S . Senate, . House, Representatives, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Germany, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Washington, New York

☆ Exclusive: Ukraine could get long-range missiles armed with US cluster bombs - officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine is currently equipped with 155 mm artillery with a maximum range of 18 miles carrying up to 48 bomblets. The GMLRS rocket system, a version of which Ukraine has had in its arsenal for months, would be able to disperse up to 404 cluster munitions. At present Ukraine has only one U.S.-furnished cluster munitions, the 155 mm rounds that were announced in July. Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries. Russia, Ukraine and the United States have not signed onto the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons.

Persons: Biden, Dmytro Kuleba, Antony Blinken, Lockheed Martin, ATACMS, Joe Biden, Mike Stone, Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Korean, Army Tactical Missile, United States Army, REUTERS, Rights, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Russian, Reuters, Russia, U.S . Army, Lockheed, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ramstein Air Base, Cluster Munitions, Thomson Locations: United States, South Korea, Ukraine, U.S, Kyiv, Orikhiv, Germany, Russia, Washington

☆ Nation's top general says it's an 'overstatement' to say 'the entire military is woke' over a few drag shows on bases
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Critics have pointed to drag shows and the use of critical race theory, both of which Milley said are overstated. Milley, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, said he supported Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's decision to ban drag shows at military bases after some Republican lawmakers sparked an outcry. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, who criticized the drag shows, called the Pentagon's new policy a "HUGE VICTORY." Critics have also taken aim at critical race theory, an academic theory that looks at America's history of racism and discrimination through a modern lens. Already, three military services are without a Senate-confirmed leader, the first time that's happened in the nation's history.

Persons: Mark Milley, Milley, Lloyd Austin's, Austin, Matt Gaetz, Critics, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, C.Q, Brown Jr Organizations: Washington Post, Service, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington Post's, Nellis Air Force Base, Ramstein Air Base, Florida Republican, Republicans, Department of Defense, Republican, Air Force Locations: Wall, Silicon, Nevada, Germany, Florida

☆ US to send Kyiv first $200 mln of arms freed by $6.2 bln 'accounting error'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Wolfgang... Read moreWASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration will announce $200 million of new weapons aid for Ukraine as soon as Tuesday, U.S. officials told Reuters, as it begins to dole out $6.2 billion of funds discovered after a Pentagon accounting error over-valued billions of Ukraine aid, two U.S. officials said on Monday. Ukraine needs weaponry that can be shipped from U.S. stocks in a matter of days or weeks so it can keep up its fight to repel Russia's invasion - the accounting error worked to Kyiv's benefit because more equipment can be sent. Washington is currently working on a supplemental budget request to continue to aid Kyiv, the U.S. officials said. Tuesday's expected announcement of $200 million would be the first tranche of the $6.2 billion windfall of previously authorized Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), the officials said. Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Boris Pistorius, Lloyd Austin, Jens Stoltenberg, Wolfgang, Read, Joe Biden's, Tuesday's, Lockheed Martin, Mike Stone, David Gregorio Our Organizations: German, NATO, Ramstein Air Base, REUTERS, Reuters, Pentagon, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Corp, Patriot, RTX Corp, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Ramstein, Miesenbach, Germany, WASHINGTON, Kyiv, Washington

☆ Trevor Reed: Former US Marine who was released by Russia in prisoner swap injured while fighting in Ukraine, source says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Trevor Reed, the former US Marine who was wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly three years before being released in a prisoner swap, was injured while fighting in Ukraine, a source familiar with the matter told CNN Tuesday. Reed, who was freed in a prisoner swap in April 2022, was transported to a hospital in Kyiv and was evacuated to Germany for medical care, the source said. A US official told CNN that Reed is being treated at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a US military hospital near Ramstein Air Base. Reed and his family denied the charges against him, and he was designated as wrongfully detained by the US State Department. It was ultimately secured through a prisoner swap for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian smuggler convicted of conspiring to import cocaine.

Persons: Trevor Reed, Reed, Vedant Patel, Patel, Reed “, ”, ” Patel, Jonathan Franks, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Matt, Carstens, ” “ You’ve, Konstantin Yaroshenko Organizations: CNN, US Marine, ”, Department, Landstuhl Regional Medical, Ramstein Air Base, Russian Federation, US State Department Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Germany, Ramstein, Moscow

☆ Ukrainian forces reportedly cross a key river, raising hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Ukrainian military forces have successfully established positions on the eastern side of the Dnieper River, according to a new analysis, giving rise to speculation Sunday that the advances could be an early sign of Kyiv's long-awaited spring counteroffensive. In the south, the Dnieper has for months marked the contact line in the Kherson region, where its namesake capital is regularly pummeled by shelling from Russian forces stationed across the river. The think tank cited comments from financier Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group — a private Russian military company whose fighters have spearheaded the offensive on Bakhmut. Russian forces on Saturday and overnight also dropped five guided aerial bombs over the Kherson region, Ukraine's Operational Command South said in a Facebook post Sunday. In the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region, Russian shelling wounded a 56-year-old man in Stepnohirsk, a town on the banks of the Dnieper river, local Gov.

☆ U.S. to Begin Training Ukrainian Forces on Abrams Tanks in May
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Nancy A. Youssef | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Illustration: Adam AdadaThe U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to Germany next month and begin training Ukrainian forces on how to operate them, defense officials said Friday. Speaking to reporters at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where Ukrainian allies met Friday to discuss how to coordinate their support, Army Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that tanks designed for training would begin arriving in the next few weeks.

☆ Canada to send rifles, radios in new C$39 million Ukraine aid package
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, April 21 (Reuters) - The Canadian government on Friday announced C$39 million ($28.9 million) in new military assistance for Ukraine that will include 40 sniper rifles, 16 radio sets and a donation to a NATO fund to help Kyiv in its war against Russia. The contribution to the NATO fund, of about C$34.6 million, will help to provide Ukraine with fuel supplies and other assets. "The donations and support announced by Canada today will help ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," Anand said. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation" to combat what it describes as a security threat. ($1 = 1.3475 Canadian dollars)Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ukraine war live updates: NATO reaffirms Ukraine will eventually join alliance; Russia accidentally strikes own city
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Once the war in Ukraine ends, Kyiv must have "the deterrence to prevent new attacks," he said in comments reported by Reuters. Ukraine's Western allies on Friday convene at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss further assistance to Kyiv, in the fourteenth month of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Speaking ahead of the meeting, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who unexpectedly undertook his first visit to Ukraine since Russia began its offensive in February last year, reaffirmed that Kyiv will eventually join the military alliance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 20 reiterated his long-standing call that his country should benefit from fast-tracked admission into NATO. NATO and EU allies have so far offered military, humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine.

Hundreds have died so far and a nation reliant on food aid has been tipped into what the United Nations calls a humanitarian catastrophe. Washington has said that private American citizens in Sudan should have no expectation of a U.S. government-coordinated evacuation from the country. UN WORKS TO EXTRACT STAFFOther countries and the United Nations are also looking at how they can evacuate citizens and employees. The U.N. has about 4,000 staff in Sudan, of which 800 are international staff. Switzerland said on Friday it was examining ways to evacuate nationals from Sudan, and Sweden said it will evacuate embassy staff and families as soon as possible.

☆ Pentagon Speeds Up Tank Timeline for Ukraine but Resists Calls for Jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Ukrainian troops will begin training on American M1 Abrams tanks in Germany in the next few weeks, U.S. defense officials say, in what would be a major step in arming Kyiv as it seeks to seize back territory from Russia. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced the timeline on Friday during a meeting with allies at Ramstein Air Base. Defense officials said that about 31 tanks were expected to arrive in Germany to begin a training program for Ukrainian troops that is expected to take 10 weeks. Combat-ready tanks could reach the battlefields in Ukraine by the fall, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters. But the United States stood firm in its refusal to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

☆ NATO's chief is talking openly about alliance membership for Ukraine as Putin's war continues to shoot Russia in the foot
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has long sought NATO membership, something Vladimir Putin deeply opposes. Ukraine has long sought NATO membership. As early as April 2008, NATO said it "welcomed" aspirations from Ukraine and Georgia — the latter was attacked by Russia later that year — to join the military alliance. Finland officially became the 31st member of the military alliance earlier this month, a huge setback for Putin. in a Friday tweet that included a link to a media report about Stoltenberg telling Zelenskyy Ukraine belongs in NATO.

☆ NATO's Stoltenberg reaffirms Ukraine to eventually join alliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

RAMSTEIN, Germany, April 21 (Reuters) - All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance but the main focus now is to ensure the country prevails against Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday. Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group at Ramstein air base in Germany, he also told reporters that, once the war in Ukraine ends, Kyiv must have "the deterrence to prevent new attacks". Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten, editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Allies move to bolster Ukrainian tank forces ahead of counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has pressed its allies for long-range weapons, jets and ammunition ahead of a counteroffensive to push back Russian troops that is expected in the coming weeks or months. Abrams battle tanks will arrive in Germany in the coming weeks for Ukrainian troops to begin training, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters. NATO member states and their allies have provided Ukraine with weapons and armour, but Ukraine's leadership has repeatedly asked for more powerful weapons and quicker supplies. "The Russians are cautious to come into Ukraine because of the effective use of the Ukrainian air defense system. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban poured cold water on Ukraine's NATO prospects, simply tweeting "What?!"

☆ Ukraine appeals to NATO chief for membership and more arms
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NATO has supported Ukraine throughout the war, with member states supplying it with weapons, but Zelenskiy said more were needed. [1/6] NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg visits the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to killed Ukrainian soldiers, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 20, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich 1 2 3 4 5"Mr President, I am here today with a simple message: NATO stands with Ukraine," he said. Ukraine announced a bid for fast-track membership of NATO last September after the Kremlin said it had annexed four Ukrainian regions that its troops have partially occupied. The Kremlin reiterated to reporters on a conference call that Moscow opposed NATO admitting Ukraine, a former Soviet republic.

☆ Nordic countries plan joint air defence to counter Russian threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COPENHAGEN, March 24 (Reuters) - Air force commanders from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark said on Friday they have signed a letter of intent to create a unified Nordic air defence aimed at countering the rising threat from Russia. The move to integrate the air forces was triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, commander of the Danish air force, Major General Jan Dam, told Reuters. Finland has 62 F/A-18 Hornet jets and 64 F-35s on order, while Denmark has 58 F-16s and 27 F-35s on order. The signing at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany last week was attended by NATO Air Command chief General James Hecker, who also oversees the U.S. Air Force in the region. The Nordic air force commanders first discussed the closer cooperation at a meeting in November in Sweden.

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