BRUSSELS: NATO is committed to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia for as long as it takes and will help the war-torn country transform its armed forces into a modern military up to Western standards, the alliance’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said. has sworn Friday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Romania next week, Stoltenberg urged countries that want to provide air defense systems and other weapons to Ukraine individually or in groups. NATO as an organization does not supply arms.
“NATO will stand by Ukraine as long as it takes. We will not back down, ”said the former Norwegian prime minister. “Allies are providing unprecedented military support, and I hope the Secretary of State will agree to increase non-lethal support as well.”
Stoltenberg said members of the 30-nation security organization are delivering fuel, generators, medical supplies, winter equipment and drone jamming equipment, but more will be needed as winter ends, especially as Russia threatens Ukraine’s energy sector. attacks on infrastructure.
“At our meeting in Bucharest, I will call for more,” he said. “In the long term we will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment to modern NATO standards, doctrine and training.”
Stoltenberg said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba would join the ministers to discuss his country’s most urgent needs, but also what kind of long-term support NATO could provide. NATO’s top civilian official said the support would help Ukraine move toward one day joining the alliance.
The November 29-30 meeting in Bucharest comes nearly 15 years after NATO promised that Ukraine and Georgia would one day become members of the organization, a pledge that greatly angered Russia.
Attending the meeting will be the foreign ministers of Bosnia, Georgia and Moldova – three partners NATO says are bowing to Russian pressure. Stoltenberg said the meeting would take further steps to help NATO “protect their independence and strengthen their ability to defend themselves.”
Since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion 10 months ago, NATO has strengthened defenses of neighboring Ukraine and Russia but has tried carefully to avoid being drawn into a full-scale war with a major nuclear power. But Stoltenberg has put no pressure on Ukraine to enter peace talks with Russia, and indeed NATO and European diplomats have said Putin does not appear ready to come to the table.
“Most wars end with negotiations,” he said. “But what happens at the negotiating table depends on what happens on the battlefield. Therefore, the best way to increase the chances of a peaceful solution is to support Ukraine.”
