 "NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Reuters")
As the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) prepares to mark its 75th anniversary while conducting a three-day summit in Washington, the bloc’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg raised concerns about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. While previewing the summit at a press conference on Sunday, Stoltenberg said all NATO members want peace.
He insisted that the war could end easily, but peace could only be achieved if Russian President Vladimir Putin understood he cannot win on the battlefield.
“The quickest way to end this war is to lose the war,” the NATO chief averred. “But that will not bring peace. That will bring occupation," he added. While discussing the war, Stoltenberg outlined key measures NATO would take as the conflict rages on. These measures include; the establishment of the command centre in Germany, enhanced financial and military aid to Ukraine and setting up bilateral security arrangements, Voice of America reported.
After laying out the initiatives, Stoltenberg also acknowledged the complexities involved in Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance and the bloc’s united front against Russia. In April this year, Stoltenberg indicated that the alliance did not expect to offer Ukraine a NATO membership during the summit, but rather provide the war-stricken nation a “bridge” to membership.
Hungary to not block NATO plans despite closeness with Russia
After Hungarian President Viktor Orban’s visit to Russia became concerning to the West, Stoltenberg made it clear that the European nation would not block any potential NATO decision.
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More ShortsWhile speaking to the reporters, the NATO chief recounted his recent visit to Budapest, where he secured an agreement with Orban ensuring that Hungary will not obstruct the proposed support measures for Ukraine.
It is pertinent to note that Budapest has made it clear that it will not participate in the new NATO security assistance command for Ukraine but will fulfil its other NATO obligations. Hungary also made it clear that it would continue to contribute to the common NATO budget.
Stoltenberg insisted that NATO must operate cohesively in developing new defence strategies, emphasizing unity despite differing perspectives.
Stoltenberg on the impact of US Elections on NATO
The NATO chief also mentioned that the United States would continue to remain a staunch NATO ally, regardless of the outcome of the 2024 US presidential elections. He supported his argument by attributing to the past criticisms by former president Donald Trump and insisted that his displeasure was primarily to defence spending issues rather than NATO itself.
He went on to compare NATO to a big family that every now and then has arguments and disagreements. While recalling his experience working with former Presidents Barack Obama, Trump and the current President Joe Biden, Stoltenberg noted that despite differing political leadership, the US has remained an ardent ally of NATO.
With inputs from agencies.