Nato backs military aid for 'heroic' Ukraine, Russia steps up attacks

MADRID/KYIV (REUTERS) - Nato on Wednesday (June 29) branded Russia the biggest "direct threat" to Western security after its invasion of Ukraine and agreed plans to modernise Kyiv's beleaguered armed forces, saying it stood fully behind Ukrainians' "heroic defence of their country".

At a summit dominated by the invasion and the geopolitical upheaval it has caused, Nato also invited Sweden and Finland to join and pledged a seven-fold increase from 2023 in combat forces on high alert along its eastern flank against any future Russian attack.

In reaction, President Vladimir Putin said Russia would respond in kind if Nato set up infrastructure in Finland and Sweden after they join the US-led military alliance.

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/nato-backs-military-aid-for-heroic-ukraine-russia-steps-up-attacks