 |
| NATO Trouble Supplying Winter Uniforms to Ukrainian Soldiers |
According to Der Spiegel, Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov wrote to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in late July, calling for the military alliance to provide cold-resistant field tents along with clothing for as many as 200,000 Ukrainian troops.
"Uniforms and equipment should be delivered as quickly as possible," Defense Minister Reznikov said, according to the magazine. Also read: Russia Disappointed IAEA Report Doesn't Name the Perpetrator of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant Shooting Several NATO countries have since searched their warehouses for needed supplies. The organization confirmed to Der Spiegel that it is in touch with member states on this matter.
According to reports cited by Der Spiegel, so far the United States and Canada, as well as Sweden and Finland, which have not joined the military group, have jointly pledged shipments that could cover up to 50% of Ukraine's demand. "Military officials from various NATO members are of the opinion that most of their country's stockpiles are reserved for national armies," Der Spiegel's report said.
The defense alliance has reportedly offered to replace uniforms and equipment that member states handed over to Kiev, using a NATO trust fund, amounting to $40 million. "Germany is also reportedly planning to join the effort, although it has previously struggled to equip its own troops with the necessary equipment," Der Spiegel said.
By sending winter clothing and field camp equipment, Berlin could make an "important contribution" to Ukraine's defense as winter approaches, according to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht.
Der Spiegel reported that the German military was "quite critical" of the idea of turning over its equipment to Ukraine. Lambrecht himself had repeatedly stated earlier that the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, would reach the limit of what they could provide in terms of weapons.