In advance of the 2022 NATO Summit that will take place on June 28-30 in Madrid, Spain, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) addressed the General Secretary of NATO Jens Stoltenberg calling upon the Alliance to substantively enhance military backing to Ukraine.
On behalf of the 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora, Paul Grod thanked Mr. Stoltenberg and the NATO for their meaningful support of Ukraine in countering Russia’s multifaceted aggression and its efforts to undermine the rules-based international order.
“Having recently returned from a visit to Kyiv, I can assure you that NATO’s work has made a meaningful impact in assisting the people of Ukraine,” wrote Paul Grod.
The UWC President also called upon the Alliance to increase support of Ukraine, particularly to help it with training and supply of advanced weapon systems.
Specifically, the UWC called upon NATO member states to:
- Immediately deliver to Ukraine modern NATO-standard long-range and heavy weapons and respective ammunition, because Ukraine could no longer rely on Soviet-era weapons. Ukraine’s Armed Forces need a comprehensive program of transition from Soviet-era weapons to NATO-standard weapons; and
- Establish a NATO naval mission to the Black Sea to protect and convoy Ukrainian cargo ships, including those carrying food supplies, and secure uninterrupted commercial sea traffic, which would ease the global food crises that resulted from Russia’s invasion and blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
“We are confident that the people of Ukraine will be victorious in expelling the Russian invaders from their country. The question is when and at what cost. NATO must help Ukraine by leveling the playing field as Ukraine’s armed forces are significantly outgunned. Immediate and decisive action by NATO is critical in preventing further bloodshed!” reads the official letter.
