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Added on the 23/05/2022 19:10:26 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says that alliance members must guarantee long-term weapon deliveries for Ukraine, as ministers prepared to discuss a proposal for a 100-billion-euro, five-year fund. Speaking in Brussels, where NATO foreign ministers are meeting to forge a support package by a July summit in Washington, Stoltenberg says "we must ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine for the long haul." "We must ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine for the long haul so that we rely less on the voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments, less on short-term offers and more on multi-year pledges," Stoltenberg says as NATO foreign ministers met in Brussels. SOUNDBITE
Russian President Vladimir Putin will succeed in his bid to seize Ukrainian territory if the United States halts support for Kyiv, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says at a Senate hearing on supplemental funding for national security priorities including Ukraine, for which $44.4 billion has been requested. "I can guarantee you that without our support, Putin will be successful," Austin says. SOUNDBITE
The Pentagon says it will soon begin training several Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft in the United States. "F-16 flying training is expected to begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona," Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder tells reporters during a briefing. SOUNDBITE
The United States announces a fresh tranche of arms to bolster Ukraine's mounting counteroffensive against Russian forces, including armored vehicles, precision munitions and mine-clearing equipment. "Today, the Biden-Harris administration is announcing a new security assistance package for Ukraine, as we continue to stand with the people of Ukraine," says White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton. The $500 million package comes just days after Russia's own warmaking capacity appeared to fray with a mutiny by its privately run Wagner force. SOUNDBITE
The United States says it welcomes South Africa's promise to probe allegations of arms shipments to Russia after Washington angered Pretoria by going public with a charge of covert weapons. "It certainly would be a welcome step," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel tells reporters of the promise of a probe made by a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa. SOUNDBITE