At the Russell C. Leffingwell Lecture, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated NATO’s staunch support for Ukraine.
In a conversation with former US Representative Jane Harman, Mr. Stoltenberg expressed how the Ukrainian conflict has global ramifications on security.
Stoltenberg commented, “Supporting Ukraine is pivotal for our security, ensuring its sovereignty and independence.” He was clear on the inalienable right of every nation to chart its own course.
The Secretary-General highlighted the broader international concerns about the Ukrainian conflict. Citing the apprehensions of countries like South Korea and Japan, he mentioned, “They are deeply concerned about the situation in Ukraine, knowing that if President Putin triumphs, it might embolden President Xi to act forcefully.”
Stoltenberg also discussed NATO’s ongoing adjustments to meet modern challenges, including the security repercussions of climate change.
During his New York visit, Mr. Stoltenberg attended the UN General Assembly’s opening high-level General Debate session and liaised with several global leaders.
His engagements included dialogue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan concerning the Black Sea grain deal, anti-terrorism efforts, and Sweden’s prospective NATO membership.
He also conversed with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on sustained backing for Ukraine and addressing climate change-induced security challenges. The Secretary General met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, lauding the bravery of the Ukrainian military and confirming NATO’s enduring dedication to Ukraine.
Additionally, his engagements extended to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, discussing NATO’s role in Iraq. Stoltenberg’s series of meetings also featured other dignitaries like UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Singaporean FM Vivian Balakrishnan, and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem al-Budaiwi.
Russia is a joke, NATO would destroy it quicker than Iraq in 91. Maybe China would last 5 minutes more.
We always seem to assign our adversaries much more credibility than they deserve.
You have to do that.
If you fail to respect your enemy you lose: it is really simple. So you have to take threats at face value.
China will be better than Russia in some respects. It has more manufacturing capacity for starters and some kind of electronics industry.
It’s our greatest strength but only when it does not embolden our enemies, look at s400, two decades of thinking it’s the tits and it can’t even stop 2 stomshadows taking out their HQ. The Russian’s bought their own hype. Hopefully China learns the lesson, it’s just like Saddam in 91. They have no idea how far behind they are.
Thing is we haven’t even deployed the best stuff? No 4th Gen fighters with missiles like F16 which would wipe the floor with the Russians never mind F18, F15,Typhoon, F35 or F22….. Missiles – No ASTER or the latest versions of anything. Using up old stocks and early versions – Ukrainians don’t care : they work just fine. Let’s be honest if we had given Ukraine what we have now in month #1 Russia would be back in Russia as they’d have had no idea what had hit them. The tragedy was letting the Russians dig in so we are… Read more »
Amen.
Ukraine had no choice but to ‘let’ the Russians dig in. The key western kit did not/has not come fast enough – tanks, ATACMs, F-16s.
“the inalienable right of every nation to chart its own course.”
That’s why we support UKR, not as a means to either expand NATO or punish/persecute Russia.
On that basis I hope we will also support Taiwan to the hilt.
Seems Taiwan is now taking its own security more seriously, it’s a joke asking others to defend you when your not even spending 2% of GDP.
Ultimately I still doubt Taiwan’s resolve in a shooting war.
You know why Taiwan is spending less than might be expected (at least overtly). Any big jump in defence spending by Taiwan could invite a Chinese invasion.
It has to be a tightrope walk ensuring that China always thinks it will have a better chance next year than this year, and that it always thinks that this year’s chances aren’t quite high enough. Taiwan must move in ways that parallel the threat. Scary stuff.