BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vowed on Friday that the alliance will help Ukraine defend itself against Russia for “as long as it takes” and will assist the war-torn country in transforming its armed forces into a modern army up to Western standards.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Romania next week, Stoltenberg urged countries to continue providing air defense systems and other weapons to Ukraine, either individually or in groups. NATO does not supply weapons as an organization.
“NATO will remain in Ukraine for as long as it takes.” “We are not going to back down,” said the former Norwegian prime minister. “Allies are providing unprecedented military support, and I expect foreign ministers to agree to increase non-lethal assistance as well.”
Germany said on Friday that it was discussing with allies Poland’s request for German Patriot air defense units to be sent to Ukraine, following NATO’s chief’s suggestion that the military alliance might not oppose such a move.
“We are discussing with our allies how to deal with Poland’s… suggestion,” a German government spokesman said in Berlin.
After a stray missile crashed and killed two people in Poland last week, Berlin offered Warsaw the Patriot system to help secure its airspace. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak later requested that the fire units be sent to Ukraine instead.
According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, such deployments should be made by individual nations while taking into account rules governing final users. “Specific decisions on specific systems are made at the national level,” he said in Brussels.
“There are sometimes end user agreements and other things that require them to consult with other allies.” But, at the end of the day, national governments must make the decision,” he added.
Stoltenberg’s remarks came after German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Thursday that sharing Germany’s Patriot units outside NATO territory would necessitate prior consultations with NATO and allies.
Raytheon, a US company, manufactures Patriots. On Friday, Poland’s president said it was up to Germany to decide where its Patriot air defense units would be stationed, adding that it would be better for Poland’s security if they were stationed near the border in Ukraine.
“From a military standpoint, it would be best if they were located in Ukraine to also protect Polish territory, then they would most effectively protect both Ukraine and Poland,” Andrzej Duda said at a news conference in Kaunas, Lithuania. “However, the decision is in the hands of the Germans.”
Duda later stated that Germany could send Patriot units to Ukraine without NATO troops to operate them, which Kyiv has been requesting for some time. “But if there is no agreement, let them be here (in Poland) and protect us,” Duda tweeted.
On the sidelines of NATO exercises in northeastern Poland, Blaszczak slammed Berlin, saying he was surprised that the German Patriots were too advanced to be transferred to Ukraine.
According to an official in the recently recaptured city of Kherson, Russian shelling on Friday killed 15 civilians.
“Today, 15 Kherson city residents were killed and 35 were injured, including one child, as a result of enemy shelling,” Galyna Lugova wrote on Facebook. The attacks “damaged several private houses and high-rise buildings,” she added.
Members of the 30-nation security organization have been delivering fuel, generators, medical supplies, winter equipment, and drone jamming devices, according to Stoltenberg, but more will be needed as winter approaches, particularly as Russia attacks Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“I will call for more at our meeting in Bucharest,” he said. “Over time, we will assist Ukraine in transitioning from Soviet-era equipment to modern NATO standards, doctrine, and training.”
Stoltenberg stated that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba would join the ministers to discuss not only his country’s immediate needs, but also what kind of long-term support NATO can provide. NATO’s top civilian official stated that the assistance will help Ukraine move closer to joining the alliance.
The meeting in Bucharest takes place nearly 15 years after NATO promised Ukraine and Georgia would one day become members of the organization, a promise that infuriated Russia.
The foreign ministers of Bosnia, Georgia, and Moldova will also be present, as NATO claims that Russia is exerting increasing pressure on these three partners. NATO, according to Stoltenberg, will “take further steps to help them protect their independence and strengthen their ability to defend themselves” at the meeting.
Since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion 10 months ago, NATO has strengthened the defenses of allies in neighboring Ukraine and Russia while carefully avoiding being drawn into a larger war with a major nuclear power.
However, Stoltenberg did not put any pressure on Ukraine to enter into peace talks with Russia, and NATO and European diplomats have stated that Putin does not appear willing to come to the table.
“The majority of wars end in negotiations,” he said. “However, what happens at the negotiating table is determined by what happens on the battlefield.” As a result, supporting Ukraine is the best way to increase the chances of a peaceful solution.”
Source: AP
