Ukraine's Chief of General Staff meets NATO admiral to discuss strengthening of air defense and cooperation

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Andrii Hnatov, during a meeting with Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Admiral Pierre Vandier, stated that Ukraine is ready to share its combat experience with partners in the context of high-tech warfare.

According to Ukrinform, the General Staff stated this on Facebook.

Hnatov briefed on the current operational situation at the front. He noted that Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy and inflict fire damage both on temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and on the territory of the Russian Federation, and, under favorable conditions, carry out offensive actions to restore lost positions.

"Despite sustaining significant losses in personnel, weaponry, and military equipment, the adversary has not abandoned its offensive operations; however, it has failed to seize the strategic initiative," the General Staff said.

Hnatov emphasized the particularly important role of NATO in providing international military assistance to Ukraine. He also highlighted the Prioritised Urgent Requirements List (PURL) mechanism, which allows for the rapid provision of critically important weapons and equipment to Ukraine's Defense Forces through funding from Alliance member states.

The Chief of the General Staff stressed the importance of further strengthening air defense, primarily through the supply of modern surface-to-air missile systems and ammunition for them.

He also noted the effectiveness of existing mechanisms of practical cooperation with the Alliance, particularly the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine mission (NSATU) and the Ukraine–NATO Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC).

"These instruments already provide for the coordination of international military assistance, the development of Defence Forces' capabilities, and the achievement of interoperability with partners," the General Staff emphasized. In turn, Ukraine's Armed Forces are ready to share their combat experience with partners, particularly in countering modern security threats and conducting operations in high-tech warfare conditions.

Hnatov thanked Vandier and the Alliance member states for their continued support, solidarity with Ukraine, and readiness to further deepen practical cooperation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As Ukrinform previously reported, the Office of the President of Ukraine discussed with NATO military representatives the involvement of Ukrainian service members in training and the future of JATEC.