The number of civilians killed in Ukraine is at its highest level since May 2022, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday, warning that delays in military aid are costing lives.
Speaking at the 36th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Rutte urged allies to accelerate support as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
“Delays simply cost human lives,” Rutte said, calling on allies to “dig deeper.”
He said Ukraine’s most urgent needs include air defense, Ukrainian-made drones, and extended-range ammunition.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also warned that Russia is adapting its aerial campaign, using more North Korean missiles and jet-powered drones.
“We see more North Korean missiles, we see jet-powered drones,” he said, stressing that Ukraine needs help countering both existing and emerging threats.
Rutte said NATO’s PURL mechanism remains a key channel for financing US-made weapons for Ukraine, including vital air defense systems.
Over the past year, allies have allocated $10 billion through PURL and US Foreign Military Sales, he said.
The NATO chief urged members to increase bilateral support to meet commitments made at the Ankara summit.
“Nations must dig deeper. We do not have a choice,” he said.