Allied countries are determined to do more and more immediately, in the medium and long term, to help brave Ukrainians defend their homes and country, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said after the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
“We discussed what we would do next, including cybersecurity assistance and the provision of equipment to help protect Ukraine from chemical and biological threats” he said.
He said the allies provide a wide range of different weapons systems, both Soviet-era systems and modern equipment.
However, in successive questions from reporters about what arms assistance would include, especially after statements by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, who had previously announced arms supplies, Stoltenberg chose not to give many details, not even in terms of timetable.
Earlier, Kuleba said his country would receive more weapons from NATO allies, but added that discussions were ongoing on what exactly would happen.
“Either you are helping us now – and I’m talking about days, not months – or your help will come too late and many people will die,” Kouleba told a NATO news conference.
He added that NATO insisted that time was still needed to provide Ukraine with the weapons it was seeking, but “we do not have time,” he said.
The NATO secretary general also said that “the Allies condemn all the horrific killings of civilians we have seen in Bouka and other areas recently liberated from Russian control. All the facts must be investigated and all those responsible for these atrocities must be brought to justice. The Allies support international research efforts. “
“We are preparing for a long confrontation with Russia. “This war can last for weeks, or months, maybe years,” he said. “First of all, it will be a tragedy for Ukraine, and Putin’s responsibility is to stop this war and engage in serious negotiations to find a political solution,” he said.
He noted, however, that the longer the war lasted, the greater the risk of escalation beyond Ukraine. “NATO is focusing its efforts on preventing such an escalation, ensuring the unity of the Allies and strengthening the NATO presence in the eastern part of the Alliance on a long-term basis,” Stoltenberg said. “No matter how long this war lasts, the security consequences will be long-term,” he added.
In addition, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed that we should help other partners strengthen their defense capabilities, such as Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Finally, as far as China is concerned, Stoltenberg stressed that he is reluctant to condemn Russia’s aggression, and Beijing is colluding with Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path. “This is a serious challenge for all of us and it is more important now that we stay united to protect our values,” he said.
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