NATO Secretary General says alliance's arsenal 'empty' because of Ukraine

NATO's weapons stockpiles have been depleted by aid to Ukraine and are in urgent need of replenishment, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the German Industry Day Economic Conference.

"We need a stronger military industry. Our arsenals and ammunition are depleted, and must be replenished, not only in Germany, but also in many other NATO member states," said Mr. Jens Stoltenberg.

According to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, he discussed this issue with the Defense Ministers of member countries last week. Accordingly, the top priority now is to increase production, and remove existing obstacles.

Mr. Stoltenberg emphasized that the ministers agreed on that urgency, in particular all supported "a significant increase in the number of ammunition, to serve the important purpose", at the same time, increasing production capacity to maintain the ability to supplement and replace the main types of ammunition in time.

The NATO Secretary General added that at the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, leaders of member states also plan to agree on increasing defense investment to a minimum of 2% of GDP.

Earlier, on June 19, NATO Secretary General spoke out against freezing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as ending it under the conditions set by Russia. According to him, the alliance will continue to support Ukraine to the end.

Russia sent a note to NATO countries last spring, repeatedly noting that any military aid shipments to Kiev would be a legitimate target for the Russian military.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also stated that the US and the Western alliance are directly involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict not only by providing weapons, but also by training and educating soldiers for Ukraine in European countries such as the UK, Germany, and Italy.