NATO countries will provide $7 million to support women in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The assistance will include more than 10,000 uniforms, shoes and other necessary equipment.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the assistance was announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a reception after the NATO Women, Peace and Security roundtable held as part of the Alliance Summit in Washington.
"Too often, Ukrainian servicewomen do not have the necessary equipment to meet their unique needs in full. Today, we are taking a step to remedy this by announcing that NATO Allies will provide more than $7 million in equipment for women in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We applaud every Ally who has come forward to help with this initiative," Blinken said.
The Ministry clarified that negotiations with NATO on the possibility of additional funding for the production of women's military uniforms and bulletproof vests for the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been ongoing since 2023 and made significant progress in March 2024, when Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Nataliya Kalmykova met with the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, Irene Phelin, and Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine, Karen McTeer.
The parties agreed to exchange experience, consultations and mutual assistance in implementing the principles of gender equality in the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine. They also agreed to provide significant financial assistance to help provide women servicewomen with the necessary ammunition and equipment.