Stoltenberg: NATO could have armed Ukraine to deter Russian invasion
Photo: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Getty Images)
NATO could have done more to arm Ukraine, which might have prevented Russia's invasion in 2022, states NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
"Now we provide military stuff to a war — then we could have provided military stuff to prevent the war," he said.
Stoltenberg noted that NATO allies were reluctant to supply the weapons Ukraine requested before Russia's full-scale invasion due to concerns about escalating tensions with Russia.
The NATO Secretary General also emphasized that ending the war in Ukraine can only be achieved through negotiations.
"To end this war, at some point, dialogue with Russia will be necessary. But it must be based on Ukraine's strength," Stoltenberg believes.
At the same time, Jens Stoltenberg declined to confirm his potential appointment as head of the Munich Security Conference after leaving NATO. He mentioned having "many options" and plans to live in Oslo.
NATO's assistance to Ukraine
It should be noted that NATO countries are assisting Ukraine by providing military aid to stop the Russian aggressor.
At the start of the full-scale war, NATO established the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The first meeting took place at the US base in Ramstein, Germany, hence the group's name.
The negotiations are led by the US Meetings are held both online and in person. Notably, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present at the most recent 24th meeting. More details can be found in our article.
Within the Ramstein format, several coalitions have been formed to supply Ukraine with weapons, including those for aviation, tanks, and more.
