Ukraine's president visits NATO for first time, UK and Nordics pledge £100m in aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared at NATO headquarters for a meeting of allies backing Kiev.

On October 11 (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared at NATO headquarters in Brussels (Belgium) to attend a meeting of allies supporting Kiev in the 20-month conflict with Russia.

This is also Mr Zelensky's first visit to NATO headquarters, although the Ukrainian leader previously addressed allies remotely from Kiev.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the media next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, Belgium, October 11. (Photo: Reuters)

According to Tass, speaking to the media in front of NATO headquarters, Mr. Zelensky expressed concern that the West might "pay less attention" to Ukraine in the context of global attention shifting to a new war breaking out in Israel.

The Ukrainian leader also "hopes to continue receiving US support" , declaring that "if aid to Kiev ends, time will be on Russia's side".

In addition, Mr. Zelenskiy once again called for using Russian assets confiscated in the West to finance reconstruction projects in Ukraine.

"They (the Russian army) attacked us, we can use this money. Let's find a solution to use this Russian money and spend it on rebuilding Ukraine," he said.

Appearing alongside Ukrainian President Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO support for Ukraine would be “in terms of air defence, artillery and ammunition” and the bloc had increased weapons production.

"Air defense plays an important role in protecting Ukraine's cities and critical infrastructure. Only then can Ukrainians produce, trade and operate as a normal country. This can increase their ability to finance and provide ammunition for their war," Mr. Stoltenberg said.

UK and Nordic countries announce new aid package for Ukraine

On the same day, Britain and other northern European allies announced a new military aid package worth 100 million pounds ($123 million) for Ukraine, to help the country's armed forces clear minefields and maintain vehicles and critical infrastructure.

The British Ministry of Defense said the aid package comes from the UK-managed International Fund for Ukraine (IFU).

The new support comes as Kiev's Western backers race to ramp up arms supplies ahead of winter, after Ukraine's summer offensive failed to produce the expected gains on the battlefield.

Belgium to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2025

F-16 fighter jet. (Photo: Reuters)

Also on October 11, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder told Bel RTL radio that the country will send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from 2025.

However, Mr. Dedonder did not specify how many jets would be sent to Ukraine.

This type of fighter is the backbone of the US Air Force and Western countries. They have been in service since 1978. This type of aircraft is relatively cheap and easy to maintain. In the West, the F-16 is considered the best among similar aircraft. It has powerful engines and a good power-to-weight ratio, is light and highly maneuverable.

2 Ukrainian Defense Ministry officials embezzled money to buy bulletproof vests

In another development, the State Investigation Agency of Ukraine said on October 10 that two senior officials of the country's Ministry of Defense were arrested on suspicion of embezzling $7 million budgeted for the purchase of bulletproof vests.

The statement comes as President Zelensky is stepping up anti-corruption efforts and firing officials accused of corruption to appease Western allies who are supporting Ukraine.

The State Investigation Agency of Ukraine stated that the two officials ordered “poor-quality armor” from abroad, “which not only led to a loss of 250 million hryvnia (about 7 million USD) in the budget, but also weakened the country's defense capabilities and threatened the lives of servicemen.”

There have been several corruption scandals in Ukraine’s Defense Ministry in recent months, according to reports. In August, Mr. Zelensky fired officials responsible for military recruitment in various regions across the country on corruption charges. In September, Ukraine’s then-Defense Minister Reznikov resigned.

Hua Yu (Source: Guardian, Tass, China News)

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