NATO’s secretary general said Monday that the West has “no alternative” but to continue supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia, given doubts about US support for Kiev. “It often happens in wars that when people realize that this can take a long time, that that is demanding, that is difficult,” Jens Stoltenberg told AFP in an interview at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “We have no alternative. The alternative, letting President Putin win, is a tragedy for Ukraine and dangerous for us.”
The United States has provided more than $40 billion (about €36.6 billion) in aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion and has pledged to support Kiev for as long as necessary. But opposition from radical Republicans has put the future of U.S. aid in doubt. “Despite the difficulties, despite the lack of progress, successes or territorial gains, we must continue to support Ukraine,” Stoltenberg continued.
In this sense, the North American Secretary of State left for Europe with the aim of securing support for Ukraine, a trip during which he crossed paths with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Antony Blinken’s agenda includes the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, scheduled for today and tomorrow in Brussels, but also the meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which will take place next Wednesday in North Macedonia. At the NATO meeting in coming months, Blinken will discuss U.S. support for Ukraine, with Kiev pressing ahead with a counteroffensive at a time when much of the global attention has shifted to the Middle East. “We expect him to have a good discussion with our OSCE colleagues on support for Ukraine,” added James O’Brien, the top US diplomat for Europe.
Lavrov reportedly requested permission to participate in this OSCE meeting, of which Russia is a member. Poland, which hosted the meeting last year, did not allow Moscow’s diplomacy chief to participate.
Moscow weakens defense with NATO
Russia has reportedly moved several of its S-400 missile systems from Kaliningrad to Ukraine to compensate for the losses it has suffered on the ground. A change that weakens Moscow’s air defenses along its borders with NATO.
This information was put forward on Sunday by the British Ministry of Defense, which reported “exceptional Russian airlift movements” in November indicating that Moscow may have moved the S-400s from Kaliningrad to “make up for recent losses on the Ukrainian front.” to make’.
“As its westernmost port and bordering NATO member states on three sides, Russia considers Kaliningrad one of its most sensitive strategic areas,” the British Ministry of Defense wrote, adding that this withdrawal shows that “the prolongation of the war has lasted.” This will take a toll on some of Russia’s most important modern capabilities.”
Source: DN
