NATO: More Heavy Weapons for Ukraine 'in Near Future'

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with German media on Sunday that Ukraine can expect more heavy weapons shipments from Western countries soon.

Ukraine has long pushed for heavier weapons, including tanks, but the West has been hesitant, citing fears of being drawn into war or provoking Russia.

“The recent pledges for heavy warfare equipment are important -- and I expect more in the near future,” Stoltenberg told the Handelsblatt daily.

The comments come ahead of a meeting this week of Ukraine's Defense Contact Group, which coordinates arms supplies to Kyiv, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

“We are in a decisive phase of the war,” Stoltenberg said. “Therefore, it is important that we provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to win.”

Since the invasion, the Ukrainians have built momentum and Western nations have expanded the range of weapons being supplied.

Earlier this month, France, Germany, and the United States respectively promised French AMX-10 RC light tanks, 40 German Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 50 Bradley fighting vehicles.

However, pressure is growing on the Allies to go ahead and agree to deliveries of battle tanks.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday pledged to supply Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks, making it the first Western country to supply Ukraine with the heavy tanks demanded by Kyiv.

Stoltenberg said Russian President Vladimir Putin was wrong to attack Ukraine.

“He overestimated the strength of his own armed forces. We see their missteps, their lack of morale, the leadership problems, the poor equipment,” he said.

However, the Russians "showed their willingness to suffer heavy losses in order to achieve their goals."