‘We have to support Ukraine in both good and bad times,’ NATO chief says in ARD interview.
Dec 4,
2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that the Western military alliance
should be ready for bad news from the Ukrainian front as Kyiv continues to
defend against Russia's all-out invasion.
"Wars develop in phases," Stoltenberg said in an interview Saturday with German broadcaster ARD. "We have to support Ukraine in both good and bad times," he said.
"We
should also be prepared for bad news,” Stoltenberg added, without being more
specific.
His
comments come as Western allies debate over ammunition and financial aid for
Ukraine, and as Moscow boosts its troop levels. Russian President Vladimir
Putin signed a decree on Friday to increase the number of soldiers by
some 170,000 to a total of 1.3 million.
The front
lines have moved little in recent months despite Kyiv’s counteroffensive during
the summer. But the Ukrainians have used cruise missiles to push back the
Russian fleet in the Black Sea and have caused damage deep in Russian territory
“These are
big victories even though they haven’t been able to move the front line,”
Stoltenberg said in the interview.
Stoltenberg
called on NATO’s members to ramp up the production of ammunition, bemoaning
the fragmented state of Europe’s defense industry.
“We’re not
able to work as closely together as we should,” he said, urging
governments to look beyond their national interests and see the big picture.
A victory
for Putin would not only be a tragedy for Ukraine but it would also
present a danger for the rest of the allies, Stoltenberg said. “The more
we support the Ukraine, the faster the war will end."
Politico
--