Stoltenberg accuses Russia of lying
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg rejects Russia's claims of withdrawal and says they are regrouping.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg rejects Russia’s claims of withdrawal and says they are regrouping.
“Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions, and we can only judge them by what they actually do,” Stoltenberg said when he presented NATO’s annual report for 2021 on Thursday.
British intelligence said on Wednesday that Russia had withdrawn forces to Belarus. The Pentagon stated the same evening that Russian forces were also withdrawn from the Chernobyl area.
Stoltenberg denies that this is a real withdrawal.
“According to our intelligence, they are not withdrawing – they’re regrouping,” he said.
Zelenskyy’s comments
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also rejected reports of a voluntary Russian withdrawal on Thursday, claiming that Ukrainian forces are forcing them to retreat.
“There are other words that can be used about the alleged withdrawal of Russian forces from Kyiv and Chernihiv and the occupiers’ reduced activities in these areas. This is not a withdrawal; it is a result of what our defenders are doing – a pushback,” he said in a video speech.
Stoltenberg pointed out that tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been trained and equipped by NATO in recent years. He emphasized the importance of continued support in terms of weapons and equipment.
“NATO, or NATO allies, must continue to supply Ukraine with weapons for as long as necessary,” he said.
“They are fighting a war for freedom, democracy, and our common values,” Stoltenberg said.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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