Chief NATO on unprecedented visit to Ukraine

Chief NATO visited a memorial site for fallen soldiers and looked closely at damaged Russian military equipment displayed in Ukraine's capital, Kiev.

Secretary Stoltenberg has repeatedly voiced support for NATO member states that supply weapons and assist Ukrainian forces, as well as the expansion of the alliance with Finland, which joins this month in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. A similar application by Finland's neighbour, Sweden, has been approved by all NATO member states except Hungary and Turkey.

Mr. Stolteberg's visit will likely upset Russia, which considers NATO a hostile military bloc prone to encroach on what it sees as its sphere of influence and rejects Ukraine's efforts to join NATO.

Kremlin told reporters Thursday that one of the goals of what Moscow calls “special military operation” in Ukraine was preventing its NATO membership.

Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Thursday that they are working together to buy and renew 14 Leoard 2-A4 tanks for Ukraine.

Dutch and Danish defence ministries said tanks would be ready to surrender to Ukrainian forces early next year. Denmark and Holland will share the $180 million prize.

Ukraine has urged allies to provide heavy equipment as tanks so it is able to face Russian forces.

The tanks deal followed Wednesday's announcement by Ukrainian Defence Minister that the Patriot air defence systems had arrived in the country. The missile systems were another requirement on Ukraine's list to better protect against Russian air strikes. / VOA