BRUSSELS (VG) NATO countries have agreed to boost their aid to Ukraine. This was stated by Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on Thursday. But it is not clear whether Ukraine will get everything it asks for.
“We agree that we will continue and enhance assistance to Ukraine, so that they can stand up to Russia,” Stoltenberg said Thursday afternoon.
At the meeting with NATO foreign ministers on Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba offered this understanding, which he stated at his press conference after the press conference:
– You support us with everything we need. We will not only fight for our own security, but also for theirs, said Kuleba, so that Putin cannot test Article 5 of NATO.
Article 5 is NATO’s obligation to jointly defend and defend all member states in the event any of them come under attack.
You know it’s urgent
When asked by VG whether Kuleba and NATO had a common understanding of what would happen next, Stoltenberg replied as follows:
The message from all allies is that we are ready to provide support to Ukraine, and the allies understand the need for more support. This is the main message from the Allies, the NATO Secretary General said.
Meanwhile, he stressed that the primary task of NATO is to ensure that NATO countries have a reliable defense that can also deter potential attacks.
Ukraine’s courage, its armed forces and its political leadership inspire us all. He added that it is important that we continue to support them.
– a cautious optimist
– Kuleba said after the meeting that I am cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the discussions.
Kuleba also called on NATO to speed up the decision-making process, urging member states to stop saying that they are “still thinking” and “going through procedures” and that there are “problems that need to be resolved before decisions are taken”.
“Either you help us now, and then I mean days, not weeks, or help will come too late,” he said.
The question is when
When asked whether Ukraine has received promises of new military equipment, Kuleba answered:
Weapons are like money, they love silence. And I do not want to be in a position to go into details, but let me put it this way: I have no doubt that Ukraine will have the weapons necessary for the fight. The question is when.
Kuleba also said he sees different progress from different countries in donating arms, and that some countries are more interested in sanctions as a tool, without mentioning the specific countries he was referring to.
“The pressure on Russia has increased, but as long as the West continues to buy Russian gas and oil, they will support Ukraine with one hand and the Russian war machine with the other,” Kuleba said.
– People are dying today. We need steps that will stop the Russian war machine today. When this is not done, we cannot say that sanctions have a full effect.
– I am happy with the general dynamics, but the price is still unfortunately high.
– We’re still debating, he adds.
will support the investigation
Stoltenberg also said that NATO would support an international investigation into the lives of civilians who went missing after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
– We condemn the horrific killing of civilians in Potsja, and other places recently liberated from Russia. All facts must be brought to the negotiating table, those responsible must be held accountable, and allies support an international investigation.
“Organizer. Social media geek. General communicator. Bacon scholar. Proud pop culture trailblazer.”