Historic NATO visit: Admiral Pierre Vandier meets Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov in Kyiv

Lieutenant General Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, met with NATO Strategic Command Transformation Commander Admiral Pierre Vandier. The meeting came as Russia has not abandoned offensive operations despite significant personnel, equipment, and weapons losses, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. 

During the talks, Lieutenant General Hnatov briefed Admiral Vandier on the current operational situation at the front.

He noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold back Russian soldiers, inflict fire damage both in temporarily occupied territories and within Russia, and, when conditions allow, carry out offensive actions to regain lost positions.

Priority needs and modern systems: weapons that save lives

The sides also discussed the mechanism for Ukraine’s Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL), which enables the Armed Forces to be rapidly supplied with critical weapons and equipment funded by NATO member states.

Hnatov emphasized the importance of strengthening air defense, particularly by delivering modern surface-to-air missile systems and their ammunition.

Ukrainian experience vs modern warfare: time to share knowledge

He also noted the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms with NATO, including the activities of NSATU and JATEC.

These tools ensure coordination of international military assistance, development of the Armed Forces’ capabilities, and interoperability with partners.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to share combat experience, particularly in countering modern security threats and conducting operations in high-tech warfare.

In conclusion, Lieutenant General Hnatov thanked Admiral Vandier and NATO member states for their unwavering support, solidarity, and readiness to deepen cooperation with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Earlier, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa also met with Vandier. Palisa said discussions centered on Ukrainian forces participating in future NATO exercises as a simulated adversary, the so-called Red Team. 

In drills in Portugal, an international naval group led by Ukraine, acting as the opposing force, conditionally “sank” at least one allied frigate.