NATO chief says Ukraine ‘gradually gaining ground’ in counteroffensive against Russian forces

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, on an unannounced visit to Kyiv, said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces were "gradually gaining ground" in their counteroffensive against Russian forces and that Ukraine is “closer to NATO than ever before”.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Stoltenberg also said Russian troops were fighting for Moscow's "imperial delusions".

Stoltenberg announced that NATO now had overarching framework contracts in place with arms companies worth €2.4 billion for key ammunition, including €1 billion in firm orders.

He said such contracts would allow NATO members to replenish their depleted stockpiles while also continuing to provide Ukraine with ammunition, a key factor in the war.