Belgium to provide €8 million in non-lethal aid to Ukrainian army

Belgium will provide €8 million in non-lethal support to the Ukrainian army via NATO, the Federal Council of Ministers has decided at the request of Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

Belgium will provide first aid equipment, winter clothing or - if those needs are already met - other equipment such as night vision goggles or pharmaceuticals. Belgian companies will be able to participate in the public tenders, the government announced.

"The Ukrainians have been fighting a courageous battle for their freedom and their country for six months now," said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in a press release. Earlier this week, he told Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky that his Ukraine can continue to count on Belgian support.

"We are now putting our money where our mouth is. Belgium is once again responding to concrete needs and will be delivering vital supplies to Ukraine in the coming weeks."

According to Lahbib, winter heralds a potentially crucial phase in the conflict. "It is therefore of great importance that the Ukrainian armed forces are provided with the necessary equipment to continue to cope with Russian aggression," the minister said in a press release.

"I am proud that our country was one of the first to make equipment available. Now, six months after the start of this unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war, we continue to do so. Above all, our country remains in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and will continue to support their sovereignty in every way possible."

Belgium is making a voluntary contribution to NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund for the provision of non-lethal support to Ukraine. The contribution is a result of the NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June, where it was decided to significantly expand support through the fund. 

 The CAP was established in 2016, after the Russian annexation of Crimea. At the time, the CAP's aim was to consolidate and strengthen NATO's support to Ukraine. The CAP was strengthened at the Madrid summit and adapted to the new circumstances, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February.

(KOR)

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE