Following russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO must introduce an "even higher level of preparedness" and strengthen its weapons potential along its eastern border.
This was announced on June 14 by the head of the military alliance Jens Stoltenberg, writes reuters.com.
He spoke after informal talks in the Netherlands with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the leaders of Denmark, Poland, Latvia, Romania, Portugal and Belgium ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid later this month.
"In Madrid, we will agree to seriously strengthen our position. Tonight we discussed the need for a stronger and more combat-ready presence and even higher readiness and more pre-deployed equipment and supplies,” Stoltenberg said.
Responding to a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to provide Ukraine with more strategic weapons, Stoltenberg said he agreed that Kyiv should get a better supply of heavy weapon, without giving details.
"Ukraine needs to have more heavy weapons, and NATO allies and partners have provided them ... and they are also stepping up," Stoltenberg said.