Stoltenberg: NATO ready to provide long-term support to Ukraine
On his way to the NATO defense ministers' meeting, Jens Stoltenberg says that the Alliance is prepared to provide long-term and comprehensive support for Ukraine.
On his way to the NATO defense ministers’ meeting, Jens Stoltenberg says that the Alliance is prepared to provide long-term and comprehensive support for Ukraine.
“At yesterday’s meeting, a clear message came from all NATO members and partners that we are prepared to support Ukraine in the long term, and to an extent not seen before,” the Secretary-General said before the second and final day of the ministerial meeting.
On the way to the meeting, Latvia’s Minister of Defense emphasized that Europe’s security and stability depend on how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is handled.
“All countries near Russia are threatened”
“If we do not act correctly, it is only an invitation to further Russian activity later. Had we reacted correctly after Russia’s war against Georgia in 2008, Crimea would not have been occupied in 2014. Had we reacted correctly in 2014, there would not have been a new war in 2022,” Artis Pabriks said.
“The threat to Georgia is still not gone. All countries near Russia are threatened,” he said, adding that Finland and Sweden are aware of this.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also mentioned the two Nordic candidate countries when he arrived at the meeting with Stoltenberg.
“These are strong democracies with values that are very much in line with our values,” said Austin.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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