‘If President Putin wins in Ukraine, it’s a tragedy for the Ukrainians but it’s also dangerous for us,’ Jens Stoltenberg warns
BERLIN
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday pledged continuing military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
“I am confident that North America and Europe, together, will continue to support Ukraine. Since the war, allies have delivered unprecedented support, including advanced air defense systems, battle tanks, F16s, cruise missiles…,” Stoltenberg said at a joint news conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin.
“You have to remember and understand, if President Putin wins in Ukraine, it is a tragedy for the Ukrainians but it’s also dangerous for us because then the message to President Putin and all the ‘authoritarian leaders’ will be when they use military force, when they violate international law, when they invade another country, they get what they want and that make us more vulnerable,” he added.
Stoltenberg reiterated that it is in “our interest” to continue military support for Ukraine.
On Thursday, Stoltenberg called on the allies not to let up in their military support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
“We must continue to give the Ukrainians the weapons they need to remain strong on the battlefield so that they can be strong at the negotiating table tomorrow,” he said before a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
Stoltenberg praised Germany’s contribution as Ukraine’s second largest supporter behind the US.
Stoltenberg was referring specifically to the arrival of infantry fighting vehicles, battle tanks, and anti-aircraft systems.
“These contributions help Ukraine defend its freedom. And they help keep Europe safe,” he added.
