Stoltenberg warns against giving Putin “exit ramp” from Ukraine war
An end to the war in Ukraine can not mean that the Ukrainians are forced to bow to Russia's aggression, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday.
An end to the war in Ukraine can’t mean that the Ukrainians are forced to bow to Russia’s aggression, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday.
He told the newspaper Aftenposten that it is dangerous to blindly insist on the logic that would see the West give Putin such an “exit ramp.”
“We all have a responsibility to find ways to end the war, but that can’t mean that we will force Ukraine to bow to the Russians’ aggression. Firstly, we do not have the right to put that kind of pressure on Kyiv. Secondly, we risk rewarding Russian abuse of power,” NATO’s Secretary-General warned.
Supporting Ukraine
He emphasized that the goal is to help Ukraine survive as an independent state.
“We support them in their self-defense, which is a right enshrined in the UN Treaty. We have no goal of regime change in Moscow or offensive goals against Russia,” Stoltenberg told Aftenposten.
He added that people must be prepared for a protracted war, at worst for several years.
“Wars are unpredictable, but an alternative is that it goes from being a high-intensity war to becoming a painful, persistent conflict that fluctuates in intensity. We must not forget that there has been a war in the Donbas since 2014,” Stoltenberg said.
Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
Do you have a news tip for Norway Today? We want to hear it. Get in touch at [email protected]
