NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that allied support for Ukraine has reached an estimated 150 billion dollars, a figure he referenced during his unexpected stop in Kyiv. The disclosure came as he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stood together at a joint press conference where Stoltenberg outlined recent changes in military aid, including more armored vehicles, tanks, and aircraft heading to Ukraine. He emphasized that this enhanced assistance is shifting the balance on the battlefield and reinforcing Ukraine’s strategic resilience.
Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine belongs within the Euro-Atlantic family and that its future in NATO is a clear objective that can become a reality through sustained support. He added that the alliance intends to assist Kyiv in modernizing its armed forces to meet alliance standards, describing this effort as a lasting demonstration of NATO’s long term commitment to Ukraine and its security needs.
Meanwhile, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov offered a conservative outlook on Ukraine’s fiscal trajectory, warning that the national debt could climb to about 173 billion dollars by year’s end. The remarks highlighted the broader economic pressures accompanying the security challenge faced by Kyiv in the ongoing conflict. These financial considerations underscore the complex toll of protracted conflict, even as military and strategic backing from NATO continues to evolve on multiple fronts.