NATO Secretary General predicts more heavy weapons for Ukraine

Stoltenberg said this in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper.

"The latest promises of heavy weapons are significant and I expect more in the near future," he said.

The NATO Secretary General made the statement on the meeting eve of the Contact Group on Ukrainian Defense which coordinates the supply of weapons to Kyiv. It will be held next week at the Ramstein air base in Germany.

Western countries have been reluctant to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, citing fears of being drawn into a war or "provoking Russia" despite Kyiv's pleas for help.

"We are in a decisive phase of the war. So, it is important that we provide Ukraine with the weapons necessary for victory," Stoltenberg stressed.

It is noted that at the beginning of the month France, Germany and the United States promised to send Ukraine armored vehicles with infantry or reconnaissance tanks - 40 German Marders, 50 American Bradley and French AMX-10 RC. 

• On January 8, the Pentagon said that Ukraine would receive American M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles in the M2A2 ODS version as part of a new military aid package.

• On January 14 Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki says that during his visit to Berlin, he wants to hold talks on supplying Ukraine with Leopard battle tanks.

• On January 15, the British government reported that in addition to 14 Challenger 2 tanks, the United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with 30 AS90 self-propelled artillery guns as part of a new military aid package.