Brussels, 11 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - NATO defence ministers gather in Brussels on Wednesday for a two-day meeting to discuss further support for Kiev as well as different security challenges, including the ongoing outbreak of violence in the Middle East.

Developments in the region could overshadow the meeting, after a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel followed by retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza left hundreds dead and thousands injured on both sides.

The recent escalation between Hamas and Israel, coupled with domestic political uncertainty in Washington, has raised concerns about the future of vital US military aid to Kiev.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is to attend a meeting of the so-called NATO-Ukraine Council on Wednesday afternoon where he is expected to brief his NATO counterparts on Kiev's priorities.

The session will be preceded by a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which brings together around 50 countries from around the world interested in supporting Kiev in its fight against Russia.

On Thursday, ministers are to address the consequences of Moscow's war for the Western defence alliance like re-enforcing its defence capacities in NATO countries close to Russia or its ally Belarus.

Defence chiefs are expected to discuss the alliance's involvement in Kosovo, where the presence of NATO troops was recently increased after tensions mounted between Kosovo and Serbia, and Iraq.

Recent damage to a gas pipeline and a communications cable in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia is also expected to keep ministers busy.

The two-day gathering will also be a reminder of a simmering conflict within the alliance: Turkey and Hungary still refuse to let Sweden join the alliance despite repeated promises.

Photo: MIA archive