Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has visited Kyiv, emphasising NATO’s backing for Ukraine during discussions with its President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Referring to Kyiv, Stoltenberg said it held “a special place in the hearts of the free world,” lauding the President’s leadership and praising the valour of Ukraine’s military. He also mentioned that Ukraine is “gradually gaining ground” in its ongoing counteroffensive.
In a statement that contrasted Ukraine’s objectives with those of Moscow, the Secretary General stated, “Ukrainians are fighting for their families, their future, their freedom; Moscow is fighting for imperial delusions”. He also emphasised the global support for Ukraine with over 50 countries contributing resources and over 140 nations advocating for Ukraine’s sovereignty in the UN.
Highlighting the progress towards NATO membership, Mr Stoltenberg noted three pivotal decisions made at the Vilnius Summit. “First, we shortened your path to NATO from two to one step by removing the requirement for a Membership Action Plan“, he explained. He continued, “Second, we agreed a programme to make Ukraine’s forces fully interoperable with your future Allies”.
Lastly, he pointed out the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council to fortify political relations. He stressed, “these three decisions mean that Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.”
Touching upon the conflict’s resolution, Mr Stoltenberg asserted, “The stronger Ukraine becomes, the closer we come to ending Russia’s aggression.” He stressed that a forced surrender by Ukraine would merely lead to a harsh Russian occupation, thereby advocating for a just and sustainable peace. Emphasising NATO’s commitment, he concluded: “Ukraine’s future is in NATO. As we work together to prepare you for that future, NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
During his visit, the Secretary-General paid his respects at Kyiv’s Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine. This marked his fifth trip to Ukraine in his capacity as NATO Secretary General.
NATO exists as a defensive alliance to deter Russia from attacking the West. NATO did not react when Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and this has proved to be a major geopolitical blunder. Russia subsequent support of the “breakaway” regions of Donetsk and Luhansk clearly showed that Putin had territorial designs on the whole of Ukraine
Putin has to continue the war because if he loses in Ukraine, he also loses power. He’s just called up the 2023 conscripts and he’s not going to stop now, he has to be defeated. Britain is now heavily involved in what may well be WW3; years of defence capability cuts have weakened us considerably – particularly the Army.
Shapps has already mooted the possiblity of British military trainers (for that read advisors) being deployed inside Ukraine. Once boots are on the ground, history tells us that escalation to full scale involvement is only just round the corner.
We must re-arm, prepare to defend our homeland and rebuild the Army – quickly.
Going how Hungary and now Slovakia are going Ukraines entry into NATO will be very difficult! We have seen how a moderate country like Sweden has its detractors.
Although how the above countries can square the circle with NATO membership and leaning towards Russia remains to be seen.More interesting times ahead🙄
NATO and the whole world are seriously impressed at Ukraine martial spirit, determination to expel the Russian aggressor from their lands and the speed at which they have adapted to Western military kit. Probably the proRussian stooges in Hungary and Slovakia will be persuaded to hold fast.
Well Slovakia and Hungary are a lot closer to Ukraine than some unnamed keyboard warriors
The problem is David, he’s loosing already, it’s a war of attrition and Russian logistical capability is already starting to fracture.
If the war continues for another year, Russia will have chewed through its Army and Airforce tactical assets and be massively weakened as a result.
Russian losses of expensive equipment like T90’s, S400’s, Ka52’s and various tactical and transport aircraft simply can’t be replaced in a short timeframe, it will take years to replace them.
Ukrainian re training and reequipment with Western military assets will simply drain Russian assets even faster…..
Not to mention the attrition in Generals, Admirals and mercenary leaders. Russia has limitless supplies of manpower though. And battlefield mines, it seems
I don’t think it does. Russia itself has ~140 million people, of which about 80 million are working age. The Soviet Union had about 250 million to call on, with a larger proportion of working age people back in the day. The Russians continue to act as though they have limitless manpower because that seems to be the only way they know how to fight, but they are at much greater risk of running out than they used to be.
Russia has roughly three times the Manpower of Ukraine – who will run out first ?.
10 mill Ukrainians are abroad, either worked there before the war , became refugees or paid someone to slip away.
It’s not going to get any better for the Orcs either,with F16s,GLSDB,and maybe ATACM on the horizon! If they can get AirPower involved properly then the outlook for those defence lines is bleak.
Theres a reason why airpower isnt used by either side.
But the saying about armchair generals re-fighting the *last war* are so true
JC I plan on returning to your dealership looking for that low APR so will make this insult free as your usually a sensible chap on here.
Now I’m no fan of Ukraine and ain’t no fan of Russia and even less of a fan of sending money and equipment at the U.K. taxpayers expense to foreign NATO proxy wars.So now I’ve reiterated that.
Im just not seeing this version of the war that you are/? Ukraine has a population of 45 million (or did) we can debate how many have fled but for argument sake call it 45. Russia has 140 million so if anyones running out of anything first it’s Ukraine.
Russia has vast stockpiles of ammunition. Ukraine relies on the West which isn’t keeping up. The German minister who admitted recently on TV the state of things is all that needs said .
Russian forces are set into defensive positions with Ukraine forced into the attack. This is a far harder more costly venture without air superiority of which Ukraine has no chance ( Air superiority)this decade. From what I’m hearing it’s trench warfare of apocalyptic magnitude WW1 style with a body count that is biblical. I’m going with the Ritters Macgregor’s , and that far far extreme right conservative loving republican “Gorgeous”George Galloway assessment.. 😉
This counter offensive when are we going to hear about the success stories? ( re taking a village or putting a hole in a sub doesn’t count)
I just wish we could get honest reporting on the war in particular on the casualty figures for which I don’t believe the MOD’s take on it .Why are they such a closely guarded secret ? I’ll tell ya why it’s cos they are astronomical. Even the Telegraph has reported leaked US figures way way north of the laughable msm reports but I suspect far short of the reality . The MOD know exactly what’s happening.but it’s that old loose lips sinking ships routine.
I tell ya what I like even less is the leader of Ukraine parading round with an SS Nazi veteran like he’s some kind of NHL hall of famer it’s quite frankly reprehensible it be like our PM taking Gary Glitter on a childrens charity fundraising tour and is something that needs to be called out. Zelensky it’s clear for everyone to see has no problem with fascists but I won’t go into that again.
no sir I’m afraid it’s Ukraine that’s up shit creek and is losing this .My only fear is they will end up dragging us into a deeper pile O shite one that even the WW3 desperate fan boys in here wouldn’t like.
as ever Its just some parle I respect your opinion but think your seeing this through the wrong lens now about that 0% APR and 5 yr free servicing………..
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Wise words, will fall on deaf ears here ..mostly
Morning LPC,
Let’s start at the beginning, last time you were at one of dealerships my staff tell me you drank more than your allocation of coffee, had 3 biscuits and made off with the salesman’s biro … That would usually put you on the red list.
If you are spotted coming back, biscuits, and coffee will be put out of reach and pens are now on chains….
That said, as a valued customer, I personally inspect and supervise the correct viscosity sawdust/oil mix in the gearbox and the fitment of a full set of cross Ply remoulds…
Now, with business taken care off, you make excellent points, first of which is the risk of ammunition shortages, if the Ukrainians can’t break out.
Here’s the rub, the Russians can’t break out either, they really do have themselves a Vietnam situation that they can’t possibly win….
The largest risk to Russia is the distinct cooling of relations with China. I think the US / Chinese back channels have caused the Chinese to step back
Ever the careful fence sitters, the Chinese are starting to realise they have far more to loose if they fully commit to Russia, especially as it’s now clear they can’t win… At a stroke, Russian arrangements resupply is cut off.
Of course, if we step back, we can see the West has provided just enough equipment to engage Putin in a war of attrition, to keep him struggling in a spider web he can’t escape from.
Russian tactical assets are now badly eroded, latest analysis suggests that over 100 tactical jets are now ‘out of the fight’, due to exceeding their overhaul limits and the tempo of operations not letting up, with fast jets and helicopter assets being increasingly effected.
Meanwhile the first F16’s are currently being prepared for delivery to Ukraine…
Re the ‘far right ‘ element within Ukraine, it’s a difficult one, with a lot of history involved.
Though the Ukrainian SS was certainly very enthusiastic in its monstrous dark deeds, it came from a background of very heavy handed Soviet occupation of Ukraine and a lust for revenge…
They have a ‘complicated’ history with the far right shall we say..
Where will it all end, that’s the question my friend…
Indeed my man I don’t disagree with what you say it’s far far more complex issue than the cartoonish analysis attributed to it by many in here.
I simply come from a point of view of wanting this to end for the sake of the Ukrainian and Russian peoples.
I no longer believe in the we the good guys Russia the bad guys routine. There are only “ Interests “ our interests and the so called enemies interests and it’s always the people who suffer as a result.
peace out bro
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It can only eventually end in a round the table settlement, possibly the breakaway republics becoming nominally independent, a UN governed, disarmed neutral zone of sorts, with Ukrainian and Russian armed forces kept totally out.
The Russians withdrawing back to the internationally recognised border everywhere.
The Crimea is an altogether different story though, it’s so hard to see how Ukraine can let it go and it’s an absolute Russian red line ….
I fail to see an answer there, I just can’t see any way out of that sticking point….
If only this insanity could be switched off somehow.
NATO could not react because it wasn’t an invasion of NATO territory, surely?
True. But if NATO had rapidly reinforced eastern europe when it became obvious that Putin was going to invade from Belarus, it might have deterred him
Why on earth did Shapps say what he said? Is he quite mad as well as incompetent?
Shapps was testing the waters. If Russia wins the war in UkR Moldova , Romania and probably Poland will be next. I would imagine NATO special forces would have been operating in Ukraine from the begining anyway
ROFL.
he cant even get his talking points out properly…. but there will always be those who think fools are secret geniuses
Stoltenberg is living in a fantasy world if he thinks there is support in the US for NATO membership for Ukraine. The majority of Americans don’t even support continued military funding for Ukraine. There are a number of reasons for this, some doing with domestic politics and concerns, the border crisis, Ukranian corruption, and Biden’s incompetence, especially economic incompetence. Ukraine corruption has become entangled in impeachment proceedings not only for Trump but for Joe Biden. The one almost certainty is that the US Senate will flip to the Republicans in the November 2024 elections and the Republican base just will not accept NATO membership for Ukraine.
Would sure love to borrow that looking glass of yours as you seem to believe that you can somehow confidently predict the future. Ukraine support in the polls have slipped over the last few months after constant right wing pro Russia talking points but polls are just a snapshot in time. The current administration have yet to really start to make the case for why the US support should continue. Expect it to become more vocal as we get deeper into election season.
As for who will control the senate, every recent poll (As recently as yesterday) that I have seen has it as a toss up which is actually good news for the incumbent. In terms of Ukraine joining NATO, I think it’s unlikely in the near future but the mere suggestion of it is a great bargaining tool for when time comes to talk to Russia.
Your analysis is complete codswallop. Only the MAGA republicans support Russia in this war, the rest of the GOP and the Democrats support Ukraine. The economy under Biden has prospered, Zelenskyi has dealt with Ukraine corruption and there is no chance whatsoever that Biden will get impeached. Trump was the most incompetent President in history and he is facing a total of 91 federal and state charges – including stealing highly classified documents on nuclear weapons
Trump will be in an orange jump suit for the election and Biden will win handsomely. NATO is more than America and Sholtz has stated that Germany will guarantee the security of Europe while America deals with China. Stoltenberg would not have made his NATO comments unless they had been approved by Washington.
he is right about the chance of Ukraine getting membership….every NATO member state has to agree to the new member ( universal veto) and each nation has to first go through its own ratification process before it can agree a new member…for the US that’s a 2 thirds majority senate vote….and the 118th Congress of the US senate can just about agree to tie its own shoelaces..having 49 republicans, 48 Democrats and 3 independents…the chances of getting a 2 thirds majority vote on agreeing the sun would rise the next day would be a challenge.
I think people forget it has to be a unanimous agreement amongst NATO member states for a nation to gain NATO membership and each nation has to go through its own sign off process for the…..in the US that’s a 2 thirds majority senate vote……so there is no chance in hell the U.S. would sign off on Ukrainian membership….also while Russia is occupying any of Ukraines official border membership would instantly trigger article five ( each nation agreeing to Ukraine membership would be agreeing to go to war essentially).
Yes. Finland and Sweden had no trouble with the US Senate approval, yet Sweden isnt a member yet because ….. not unanimous existing member approval.
Ukraine has no hope in hell in getting membership, it will be like Turkiye and EU membership …never. going.to.happen
I would never say never…just not for a generation at least. At some point Putin will be gone and Russia and the west will need some form of rapprochement…realistically NATO expanding further east will probably be secondary to that rapprochement..pragmatism says we don’t want 50 years of staring at each other over our nuclear missiles….there will need to be some form of security arrangements after the Ukraine conflict cools down.
The USA is a dangerous wild card, but hopefuuly that’s just maverick Trumpish republicans. Hungary & the Slovaks too maybe.
I would’ve thought that anyone mouthing off like Trump has against courts & judges in this country(UK) would’ve quickly been charged with contempt of court. Though he has finally had a gagging order placed on him.
But who’d ever have thought Republicans would side with Russia?
If NATO becomes a problem without unanimity, surely we could form an alliance of the willing to support & assist UKR.
NATO made a mistake before the war started. Instead of ruling out getting involved with the war, NATO should have maintained vague on the answers – leaving the Russians unsure if NATO would fight with Ukraine. It just might have stopped the war starting.
But it might have started WW3 also 🤔
Many would argue that WW3 has already started. Historically world wars begin when some megalomaniac decides that neighbouring countries need annexation – and invade. About 50 countries have directly and indirectly helped Ukraine resist Putin’s invasion and that would seem to be as good a definition of a world war as I can think of.
The issue will probably come to a head next year, when Putin’s half trained conscripts get orders for a spring offensive.
Despite the drip drip of nudging in that direction thankfully we are not yet at the point of WW3 but that may change with time.In a War of attrition, which this conflict is turning into who do you think will run out of ‘half trained conscripts’ first – Russia or Ukraine ?.
Thank goodness Ukraine is not really likely to cause WW3..especially as Russia has been bogged down and is unlikely to get any stupid ideas about Baltic states after this fiasco….the Taiwan China conflict is the one with risk of contagion and real chance to spark off WW3.
I don’t have UkR casualty figures but the impression is that the UkR high command is being careful with its manpower. While the Russians are wasting their drones and missiles on civilian targets, the Ukraine are husbanding theirs carefully and hitting high value military targets like Russian ammo dumps, air defence systems, Admirals, ships, submarines and a lot of Generals etc. The Ukr is fighting an intelligent war while the Russians are employing badly prepared human wave attacks in daylight. And they are still bombing hospitals, kintergardens and schools etc
I think NATO boots on the ground will reinforce Ukraine rather than see Russia win
The casualty figures of Ukraine are never reported – have you ever wondered why ?.
NATO (as a nuclear power) cannot openly join the war or it will become WWIII, but you’d be a fool to believe that none of the mercenaries there are on a NATO nation’s payroll. The best outcome seems to be that they let Russia expend themselves so much that they cannot annex anyone else even if they did succeed in their current offensive, which looks to be the plan so far.
There’s no victory for Putin anymore that isn’t pyrrhic, but Putin and his supporters / puppet-masters need to be carefully managed so they can save face at home.
WW3! Which countries on what continents do you think would get involved in a world war on the Russian side? Not many I’ll warrant! The only thing Pootin can threaten is nuclear weapons which would come his way in spade’s if he kicked off with them!
Russia is still a huge country with a sizable Nuclear Arsenal and reserves of Natural Resources,why would it need anyone to come in on it’s side ?.
Why do you think Putin has been grovelling to Kim Jong Fat-boy recently? And demanding that the never ending Chinese friend Emperor Xi support Russia? Because so many other countries have been falling over each other to offer military kit?
Putin is so terrified of being arrested for war crimes that he has appeared as an AI deep fake video on all his recent presentations
Who says Putin has been grovelling to Kim Jong Un or anyone else for that matter,what was discussed between them will never be known to the likes of us.I don’t believe for a minute Russia needs other Countries to supply Militaty Equipment and Ammunition,this is just a smokescreen.
So what are you saying? Hordes of T90s and T14s with fully trained and equipped divisions are about to descend on Ukraine?
Russia has instigated several Tranches of calling up it’s citizens for mobilisation, around 150,000 at a time, so I’ll ask you this – where are they and what do you think they are doing.?.
I would think our intel services would notice any great build up and training of these conscripts don’t you? Where are they hiding all this kit?
Your knowledge of this War is quite frankly very lacking – Intel knows what the situation is,they are just not advertising the facts to the general public – https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-may-soon-launch-big-mobilisation-drive-2023-09-11/
righto so now it’s a conspiracy🙄
Yes but you realise we would all be dead if that happened ?
I do of course and hopefully unthinkable! The point I was making is WW3 it isn’t going to be,as Paul has said it will be Russia against the rest.
As the quote attributed to Eistein goes, ‘I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.’
Invading your neighbour who you had a treaty guaranteeing its soveriengty, seeking its total destruction seems like the reckless ove toi me. Plus the atrocities & threatening uclear strike on anyone intervening. That’s where the blame lies. Appeasing that guarantees more & worse.
Agreed, thought so & said so at the time. You don’t deter by ruling out a response.
Indeed, it seems a tough circle to square In my opinion.
I honestly don’t see how there is any present pathway to Ukraine gaining NATO membership. First, while there is conflict with Russia and Russia is occupying any part of Ukraine it would be an instant article five trigger..and second it need unanimous agreement of all member nations ( that includes going through each nation’s ratification process…going back to article 5 no one will agree to let Ukraine in and risk a war. Thirdly Ukraine needs to do a lot of reform before it can meet NATOs social charter.
Agree. End of story.
Totally Jonathon. As you say, it’s also in the timing. Why push-button it forward especially as there appears to be a lot of media releases that the allies are running out ammunition (again) to give to Ukraine and presumably for ourselves too! Why the hell is this level of information being broadcasted out loud in the Western media? Might it stimulate Russian aggression further? Those in charge need to do their job. Less talk, less publicity, more procurement, more sense, more unity, big stick needed.
Agree, telling the world the west is not able to provide something as ubiquitous as 155mm shells for a one regional conflict is a bit of an intelligence home goal. It’s not like it’s going to make the population of the western world wake up smell the coffee and insist political leaders put defence into the top three priorities…as we know Sunak firmly believes potholes are just about the Uk populations top and only priority.
…”& risk a war.”
I think that ship has already sailed Jonathan. Defeating Russia forces in UKR seems the best , quickest & least costly way of ending this, not standing off leaving UKR to struggle for years slugging away.
We are not there yet and to be honest the Russia Ukraine war has proved that it does not have the level of contagion needed to create a world war. In reality Russia has destroyed its professional army for a good decade and has evidenced to itself it has no real chance again a NATO nation even if it splits a few nations off from NATO..so it’s not going to decide to overstep and snip off a bit of a Baltic state…Ukraine has shown Russian weakness and I would say there is little chance of general war between NATO and Russia. In reality whatever it thinks Russia is no more than a regional power with less global reach, power projection, wealth and soft power than either the UK or France….yes it dabbles but that is it….it’s worst threat is it’s nuclear weapons linked with a less than stable government and or as an ally of china because:
The big risk is actually around a Sino US conflict sparked by Taiwan as that will almost certainly be contagious…you cannot have the two worlds superpowers going at each other without it being contagious ( china and the US will end up using everything that they can to exhaust the other side..including every ally or almost friend they can get in their corners).
So no we are not there yet…the Cold War actually had Russia and the west shooting each others planes down in combat and fighting wars directly with the other sides proxies and we never actually ended up at war….in reality this is no more or less than any number of horrible wars that were fought during the Cold War and will end in the same way with one side giving up due to a number of internal reasons….and it’s usually the side that is actively fighting and dying against a population that will not give up( the west in Vietnam, ussr in Afghanistan etc) so I have my money on Ukraine winning through, as that’s what tends to happen in the end when one side is invaded but has the will to keep fighting and has powerful backers who keep supplying the weapons and treasure needed.