Stoltenberg’s paradox: NATO must prepare for a decade-long war in Ukraine to win quickly
19 July 2024 10:09
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that Europe and NATO must be prepared for a decade of war in Ukraine. He said this in an interview with the BBC, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
Stoltenberg, who completes his 10-year term as secretary general in October, called on European NATO members to increase their commitment to support Ukraine. This is especially important amid fears that US funding could be reduced or even cut off if Donald Trump wins a second term in the November elections.
The Secretary General stressed the paradoxical situation: the longer the West is willing to support Ukraine, the sooner a solution to the conflict can be achieved.
“The main message is that the stronger the support for Ukraine and the longer we are prepared to provide it, the sooner this war can end,” he said,
– stoltenberg said.
He added that President Putin now believes that he can “wait it out” with the West and NATO, and that is why the war continues.
“When we clearly communicate that we are here for the long haul, that we have strong and lasting support for Ukraine, then we have the conditions for a solution where Ukraine wins as a sovereign independent state,”
– stressed the NATO Secretary General.
The Alliance also announced the establishment of a command unit to coordinate support for Ukraine, which will be based in Germany from September. According to Stoltenberg, this will provide greater predictability, accountability and support, and demonstrate the Alliance’s continued commitment to Ukraine.
Against the backdrop of these statements, Germany announced plans to cut military aid to Ukraine by almost half next year, from around €8 billion to around €3.4 billion. Finance Minister Christian Lindner said that Ukraine’s financing is “secured for the foreseeable future” thanks to a G7 scheme to raise $50 billion from interest on frozen Russian assets.
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