NATO Secretary General stated that Ukraine needs support: It cannot wait any longer

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Stoltenberg held a joint press conference after meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Stoltenberg said, “Ukraine cannot wait any longer. It needs air defense, ammunition and assistance immediately.” He said that Ukrainians have already achieved many successes.

Noting that Ukraine can achieve but needs their support, Stoltenberg said that NATO is actively working to provide reliable and predictable security support to Ukraine.

Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine needs a NATO commitment rather than voluntary contributions, and long-term promises rather than short-term offers, and added: “Moscow needs to understand that we will not go beyond this issue.” he said.

Thanking Finland’s strong support for NATO’s assistance to Ukraine, Stoltenberg also stated that he welcomed the 10-year security agreement signed by Finland with Kiev last week.

“NATO’S DETERRENCE WORKS”

Pointing out that they should never take peace for granted and that they live in a dangerous world, Stoltenberg said, “NATO has become stronger to maintain peace and prevent war, as it has done successfully for 75 years. We do not see an imminent military threat against any NATO ally because NATO’s deterrence works.” “We are all together. An attack on one of us will be an attack on all of us. This is the best way to prevent a military attack on a NATO ally.” he said.

Stoltenberg pointed out that Ukraine has the right to defend itself and said that NATO has the right to help Ukraine exercise its right to self-defense without becoming a part of this war.

Regarding Ukraine’s right to self-defense, “Ukraine also has the right to attack legitimate military targets outside Ukraine in self-defense.” Stoltenberg also stated that he welcomed the military support provided by the allies for Ukraine’s self-defense.

Stoltenberg stated that they have initiated a new adaptation process in the command structure of NATO in general, including the membership of Finland and Sweden, and that in this context, there will be different command components and they will be located in different regions of Europe, including the Northern region.

“NATO’S BORDER WITH RUSSIA HAS DOUBLED”

Reminding that Finland became a member of NATO on April 4, 2023, Stubb said, “In our meeting with the Secretary General, I emphasized the fact that the Alliance has doubled its border with Russia. If the Alliance defines Russia as the number one security threat, Finland will be against the Alliance.” “We will fully realize our responsibility. My goal as President and our goal as Finland is to be a loyal, constructive and responsible partner in NATO.” he said.

Stubb said that Finland can be considered one of the medium-sized countries in NATO in terms of the size of its army, with 900 thousand men and women who have undergone military training, with the capacity to mobilize 280 thousand people in wartime, and with long-range missiles in the Alliance, including land, air and sea. He stated that they are the largest artillery force in the country, along with Poland.

Speaking about the warning of the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, that Europe should prepare for a possible war, Stubb said that his country, Finland, will continue to support Ukraine determinedly and that Ukraine has ammunition, weapons and vehicles. He reiterated his message of “60 billion dollars of support from the US Congress to Ukraine”, noting that the country needs it.

Stubb emphasized that Europe should continue to support Ukraine and that the way to prevent the war from moving to European territory is to support Ukraine.

Stating that Finland announced its 23rd aid package to Ukraine and that they provided 2.9 billion dollars of aid to Ukraine, 2 billion dollars of which was military and 900 million dollars of humanitarian aid, Stubb said that they recently provided air defense and heavy ammunition support to Ukraine. transferred.

Stubb stated that no decision has been made yet regarding the establishment of a land component command under the Norfolk Joint Forces Command and added:

“The military decision must be made to determine where is the best place for air defence, where is the best place for sea defence, and where is the best place for land defence. We are working with our allies for the best solution, and it has very little to do with regional policies and very little to do with politics.” “This is a purely military decision.”