The head of the US-led military bloc claimed that support for Ukraine is in the interest of all member states
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance is set to expand its presence across Eastern Europe, from the Black Sea to the Baltics, in the hope of sending a “clear message” to Russia as fighting continues in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg spoke in Romania on Monday ahead of a two-day NATO summit told reporters that Europe is facing the “biggest security crisis in a generation”, stressing the need to strengthen areas of “strategic importance” in retaliation for Moscow’s ongoing offensive.
“In response to Russia’s aggression, NATO is strengthening its presence from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. We have created new battle groups, including the one led by France here in Romania,” he said. “Canadian fighter jets also help keep your skies safe and American Patriot missiles boost your defenses. This sends a clear message that NATO is here. We will do what is necessary to protect and defend all allies.”
Asked when NATO hopefuls Sweden and Finland might be accepted into the alliance, Stoltenberg said he is “confident” the bloc’s 30 members will eventually approve their applications, but could not say when that would happen, as Turkey and Hungary have yet to have not ratified it. decision. However, he noted that the two Nordic states would help “strengthen the eastern flank, especially the Baltics,” given their “well-trained and well-equipped advanced military capabilities.”
A NATO foreign ministers’ meeting will start in Bucharest on Tuesday, where Stoltenberg said members will “address ways to increase our support to Ukraine.” He hailed Romania’s “significant military assistance” to Kyiv and claimed it was “in our own security interest” to support Ukrainian forces, while insisting: “We cannot let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wins.โ
Officials will also discuss providing Ukraine with new air defense systems, training soldiers on how to use them, as well as resupplying spare parts and ammunition for weapons already on the battlefield, the NATO chief added.
Kyiv has received a long line of heavy weapons from Western allies, with the United States alone approving more than 19 billion dollars in direct military assistance since late February, including dozens of long-range artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), more than 46,000 anti-tank platforms and nearly 200 artillery pieces. Washington and its partners have vowed to continue such assistance, despite reports that a majority of NATO states have severely depleted their arms and ammunition stockpiles following countless arms transfers to Ukraine.
(RT.com)
Source: sn.dk