NATO strengthens ties with private sector to increase arms production for Ukraine, its own stockpile

US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said this during the Winning the War. Winning Peace forum, Voice of America reports.

She recalled that every NATO ally supports Ukraine in some way, whether through humanitarian, economic or security assistance. However, due to the ongoing hostilities, there is a shortage of some weapons and ammunition.

"We've seen cases where NATO allies have been providing the Ukrainians with what they can bilaterally, which has created some shortfalls in their own stockpiles. So NATO has started to work on what we call a defense production action plan, focusing on the shortage of ammunition for both Ukrainians and some NATO members who have been assisting Ukraine, which has led to their own shortages," Julianne Smith elaborated.

According to her, the Alliance has focused on strengthening ties with the private sector to try to speed up production lines of defense products.

"It's inspiring to see NATO and the European Union addressing the defense industry, working with the private sector, increasing production and ensuring that not only does Ukraine get what it needs for its immediate needs on the battlefield, but that NATO allies have what they need in their stockpiles to protect themselves," she said.

The US Ambassador to NATO added that the support for Ukraine by all 31 NATO allies is "ironclad" and "it is not fading." According to her, no member of the Alliance has proposed to reduce assistance to Kyiv.

"The question we hear around the NATO table is what more can we do for our friends in Ukraine. We share a commitment to support Ukraine. We understand what is at stake. Ukraine is not just defending its territory. It is defending the values that all of us here are defending," she assured. 

• NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Christopher Cavoli noted that NATO analyzes the war in Ukraine and draws conclusions on new and old lessons learned from the war, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces quickly and effectively implement NATO lessons on the battlefield.