The secretary-general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg affirms that the agreement reached between Stockholm and Ancara, for the addition of Sweden to the Atlantic Alliance, face of the top of Vilnius, is a “historical” moment and sublinha that the “security of NATO” is strengthened with the deal.
“This summit is already historic before it starts, because now we have Sweden’s membership in place. Sweden will become a full member of this alliance,” Stoltenberg said, considering it a reinforcement for the security of the allies that ” It’s good for Sweden, it’s good for Turkey, it’s good for all of NATO and it’s good for the Baltic region as well.”
Asked about the terms of the agreement and possible concessions to Ankara, after the Turkish president was willing to make last-minute demands, Stoltenberg assures that it was only about “raising awareness” of the parties involved about the importance of collective actions. . defense, to general stability.
“People think it’s very mysterious, but actually it’s not,” Stoltenberd said, stressing that “actually” the deal “is in Turkey’s interest.”
“Turkey raised some legitimate security concerns related to terrorism from the very beginning,” Stoltenberg said, noting that Sweden had fulfilled all commitments made at the Madrid summit.
Stoltenberg did not shy away from controversial issues, namely the US transfer of cluster bombs to Ukraine, but claims that this type of weapon is already in use in Russia.
“The difference is that Russia is using cluster munitions to invade another country and occupy Ukraine, while Ukraine is using cluster munitions to defend itself against Russian aggression,” he stressed, assuring that NATO will maintain its support for Ukraine, for as long as it lasts. she accepts.
“Wars are by nature unpredictable. They tend to last longer than we expect. But our only response is that we must support Ukraine for as long as it takes, and we must intensify and maintain our support for Ukraine,” he said. saying.
The summit that begins this Tuesday and Wednesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, has support for Ukraine as its central theme. It is already known that the allies are in favor of supporting Kiev “for as long as it is necessary”, as the NATO secretary general reaffirmed.
At this summit they will support the reinforcement of equipment, such as demining material. Everyone agrees on this point. There is also no question as to whether or not Ukraine should be a member of NATO. The controversy is about the process that should be adopted to include kyiv among the members of the Atlantic alliance.
How did you find out about TSF, some countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland advocate that the process of Ukraine’s accession to NATO be accelerated as much as possible. But the general position is one of greater prudence.
The discussion around the conditions leaves aside those who ask for more speed, to defend that it be as soon as possible. That is, when the war is over. But other countries, such as Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands or even the United States, suggest a more cautious language, defending that accession occurs “when the conditions are met”, as the Prime Minister, António Costa, defended yesterday in statements. to journalists. In this case, the process would be linked to a set of criteria. For example, democratic functioning, or the fight against corruption.
But for now, there is a signal, given to Ukraine already at the Vilnius summit, that it is exempt from complying with the action plan for NATO membership. This plan imposes evaluation criteria not only in the political and economic field, but also in defense, security and legal aspects.
Another element of rapprochement is the possibility that Kiev could sit at the table, with the members of the Atlantic Alliance, in the NATO Ukraine council, in the first meeting of the newly created organization, also in this one during this summit, with the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky.
Source: TSF
