Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv on Monday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the state of the war and the future of NATO’s support to Ukraine.
The Secretary General praised President Zelenskyy’s leadership and the bravery of the Ukrainian forces and people, but acknowledged that “leadership and bravery alone cannot repel the Russian forces; you also need arms and ammunition.”
He recognised that serious delays in support have translated to serious consequences on the battlefield. “Ukraine has been outgunned for months… fewer Russian missiles and drones have been shot down, and Russia has been able to push forward on the front line,” said Mr Stoltenberg.
“But it is not too late for Ukraine to prevail. More support is on the way.”
Defence ministers heard President Zelenskyy’s clear appeal at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council a few days ago, “and they agreed to step up our support,” said Mr Stoltenberg. He welcomed the major new package from the United States, providing over 60 billion dollars’ worth of aid, as well as new commitments by the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, adding: “I expect further announcements soon.”
The two leaders addressed preparations for the NATO Summit in July. “Allies have already agreed to plan for a greater NATO role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine,” said the Secretary General.
“I believe we also need a major, multi-year financial commitment to sustain our support. To demonstrate that our support to Ukraine is not short term and ad hoc, but long term and predictable. Moscow must understand: they cannot win. And they cannot wait us out.”
On membership, Mr Stoltenberg said: “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The work we are undertaking now puts you on an irreversible path towards NATO membership, so that when the time is right, Ukraine can become a NATO member straightaway.”
Later on Monday, Secretary General Stoltenberg delivered an address to the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament. He underlined the importance of preserving Ukraine’s freedom, adding that Ukraine is fighting to defend the same democratic values present at the heart of NATO.
While in Kyiv, Mr Stoltenberg also visited the National Defence University, greeting members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He also met staff from the NATO Representation to Ukraine to thank them for their service and dedication.
I hope Russia leaves Ukraine, their invasion is wrong, but some of the recent messaging does feel like the west is poking the bear. Ie Cameron openly stating that uk weapons can be fired into Russia, Macron talking about western boots on the ground, and now this.
Given that some of these statements will likely be used by Putin as evidence of western encroachment, and be seen as a further erosion of the buffer zone, would it not have been wiser to simply state, “We support Ukraine” Then let Ukraine get on with doing what it needs to do.
Hi Mike, what’s the difference between Britain giving weapons to hit Russia and Iran and North Korea giving weapons to hit Ukraine.
And remember it’s the ruskies who are in Ukraine not the other way about.
I absolutely support giving Ukraine weapons and support, but given that pretence for invasion included Ukraine joining Nato, western imperialism etc, just calmly state we have no intention to invade but will support a sovereign state to protect itself.
Absolutely none practically, and hopefully the west will prevail.
But in Putin there is a nut job charge of Russia, and this seems more about provoking him and reducing his options. Its allowing him to justify losses or use of tactical nukes to his population.
It just seems to be poking for poking sake. Far rather we just openly state, we support Ukraine, we have no wish to invade Russia but will assist others to protect themselves. And then give lots of weapons to Ukraine to use as they see fit.
I feel two ways about this: I am absolutely in favour of Ukraine being able to use British weapons to strike Russia. Russia caused all this, so sod them! I think Cameron’s announcement of the greenlight for Ukraine to use British weapons is actually more for the benefit of Biden and Scholz than anything else. We sent tanks first, prompting the US and Germany to send their own We sent Storm Shadow missiles first, prompting the US to send their own missiles. Germany’s sadly still holding out on this one. Hopefully, using that same model, us enabling Ukraine to use… Read more »
Have you already forgotten Cameron is an arsehole?
That is a very valid point, he ranks very high on list of worst Prime Minister in history of uk
Can we move on? He is proving to be a good Foreign Secretary.
Hmm like he and is side kick Osborne massive cuts to our Armed forces 2010 and never recovered. And has foreign minister he’s emptying our warehouses of Reserve , Tanks,Artillery trucks AFV Ammunition etc.And on top of this giving 3Billion to Ukraine. Back in the day he couldn’t fine this money for our Armed forces.Don’t get me wrong help Ukraine but still.🤔
It’s been quite a contest in recent years! Cameron & Osbourne were state wreckers. Laughing all the way to the bank.
Absolutely 👍
Irreversible seems the wrong words. Ukraines position is most definitely up in the air. Who knows what leader could be elected next and what they stand for. We don’t know that Russia wont take over the whole country. We don’t know that nato members would accept Ukraine. Bad choice of words I would say. European countries could put boots and air defences on the ground in the west of Ukraine staying 30 miles from Belarus, transnistra, from Kyiv to Odessa roughly following the dnipro river pulling back to just past Odessa. That would send the strongest signal that support for… Read more »
There’s something to be said for this. However, don’t kid yourself that our troops would be safe. We’d have to know what we would do when they get hit, as hit they would be. Do we stay 30 miles from the front line, or would the first UK deaths as boots on the ground be a signal for escalation. If so escalating to what?
I said something like that two years ago and was shot down. The concept that Ukraine gives Polands the Western Ukraine e.g. from the current Polish Ukrainian border to Rovno/Tarnopol would make sense as a protectorate. The regions of Tarnopol and Volyn were ceded to Poland after the Soviet Union invaded Poland between 1919-1921. The Soviets lost and at the Treaty of Riga ceded lands almost up to Minsk/East of Rovno. It would reduce the area of defence for the Ukranian forces and reduce civilian casualties as cities such as Lvov/ Lutsk/ Rovno would not be attacked as the area… Read more »
I’d go for Nato troops & airpower deployed on the front line. It’s the only language Putin or Xi understand. They walk all over weakness & indecision.
All Russian forces within UKR territory, including obviously Crimea, are fair game. Peace only returns when Russia leaves.
The hope being Russia gets a spanking and troops run back quickly.
It’s a difficult sell as Russia will say see nato is coming at Russia.
Using putins logic of establishing a buffer zone further back may be a better for a starting point. We all know that nato doesn’t want to invade Russia. The Russians are a bit brain washed just now unfortunately.
Unfortunately the USA probably has to sit this one out with actual large troop numbers. Support and systems could be used.
I think any buffer zone would be taken by Russia as licence to try to take the rest of UKR before any cease fire.
The “irreversible” path to NATO membership has a significant “reversible” in its path – elections in the US in November. The Presidential election aside, still too close to call, there is little doubt the Republicans will take control of the Senate where any amendment to the NATO treaty requires a 2/3rds majority.
And every nato nation has to agree…which means it’s not just the US legislative bodies that have to agree..it has to go through whatever decision making each of the other NATO members have..
When there is peace, and the problem with Russia delt with of course they can be in NATO.
Are NATO stringing them a long a bit, prolonging the war? It has to end sooner the better and Ukraine will have give up some land as it can not win the land back.
I am not saying give in to Russian bullying i am merely saying its near stalemate its just fighting over ruins costing lives. And all wars end in talks, If you see the world as the Russians do they are surrounded by NATO.
Surrounded by NATO? Putin knows different. The length of Russian borders with NATO countries was always tiny: Norway, Poland, the Baltics and a small territorial sea border with Alaska (total 1,215 km). It recently doubled because of their own aggression and Finnish accession, but the total is still small even compared with Russia’s Kazakh border alone (7,644 km). Then add in the borders with Belarus, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, China, N Korea etc. Not to mention Ukraine and Georgia, neutral countries that Russia is happy to attack. Finally there are the massive open-sea borders to the North. Open up a map, look… Read more »
i can read a map, thank you, but in Putin’s crazy mind we are at his border he is paranoid, His state of mind is getting worse, NATO is not helping by keep saying Ukraine will join, as true as it is they will one day be in NATO but rubbing it in Putin/s face is not helping, hes a tad unhinged. A bit of tact might help, not as if we are dealing with calm, reasonable guy is it, And they do have way more nukes than all of the rest of the world. Putin wants Russian treated with… Read more »
Sounds like appeasement Martin. We all want peace, but not at the cost of rewarding aggresion & atrocities illegally gained. All that does is give the green light to any other state eyeing up its neighbours.
To a degree i guess it is but the guy not all there. Its a balance between getting peace and stopping a 70 year old who dogs are not all barking from doing some thing we all will regret.
Saying that do we not give in the China/Iran and North Korea, not that long ago the USA would put them in their place now its to worried about woke at home issues.
Oh FFS You right whingers blame ‘woke’ for all your self inflicted problems, it’s frickin hilarious TBH 🤣
Enjoy your night mate
The being surrounded by nato is a bit of a myth for putin. Since 2000 he has banged on about Ukraine, Baltics and Poland not being countries and had dreams of keeping them in the fold. Unfortunately for him the populations remember what being a soviet was like so they have ran away from that way of life.
Russia probably has about 2 years before the soviet kit runs out, it’s economic collapse may happen sooner.
Do you feel this war will last another 2 years? it just a guess but i’m thinking this year decides it. No out right winner, near stalemate, new US leader, the west not upping arms production etc.
Shame on the US Republicans delaying the aid UKR needed with their shoddy antics. Actually facilitating Russian advances in UKR. Regan would be spinning in his grave.
Hopefully this pointless war ends soon, and Ukraine always in position to Defend them selfs . But has a NATO member I do feel uneasy about this if peace does come it could be a case of the Ball went over the fence . And if in NATO Article 5 🤔 then we all go Boom 🚀 😞
If being honest do not let them join NATO, i doubt even if the war ends this year its really the end of it. Big danger of being dragged in to a massive mess.
Totally agree Martin 👍