During this year’s World Economic Forum, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses the audience.
He says that the meetings in Davos this year are extra important.
“President Putin’s war against Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe,” he said.
– Carefully planned
Stoltenberg points to two things NATO is doing to respond to Russia’s invasion:
– To send financial and arms support to Ukraine, and prevent the war from escalating further, says the NATO chief and continues:
– Since the invasion, we have stepped up the support significantly.
He explains that NATO and NATO allies have been supporting Ukraine for several years.
Stoltenberg says that Putin’s invasion has been carefully planned for many years to achieve political goals.
– We may have been shocked by Putin’s brutality, but we should not have been surprised.
He highlights, among other things, the invasion of Georgia, the bombing in Syria and now the war in Ukraine.
– When Russia invaded Ukraine again now, NATO was ready.
– We have hundreds of thousands of troops on high alert who are ready to defend NATO borders, says the Secretary General, and emphasizes that it is not to increase tensions, but to prevent escalation.
Reacts to weapon finds: – Very serious
The Secretary-General highlights Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s demands on NATO from last December, when Putin, among other things, demanded that NATO withdraw from the eastern countries of Europe, and stop expanding.
– Putin has wanted less NATO along its borders. Now he gets more NATO along the borders and more members, says Stoltenberg.
– Historical
– Finland’s and Sweden’s choice to apply for NATO membership is historic. It demonstrates that European security will not be threatened by violence and invasion, he continues.
He says that the application from the Nordic countries strengthens the close bond with NATO and the EU.
When asked if Stoltenberg thinks Putin regrets his actions, he answers:
– I will not speculate in his feelings, but he has made a big strategic mistake.
– Because I think one of the most important purposes of the war was to get NATO to withdraw from NATO borders. He has achieved the opposite.
Stoltenberg has previously stated that Ukraine can win the war against Russia. During today’s meeting in Davos, he said the following:
– I will not make any predictions about the outcome of the war, no one can, but Russia has not achieved its goals in Ukraine.
The Secretary General of NATO also takes this opportunity to emphasize the importance of the sanctions that have been imposed.
– Our financial choices have consequences for our security. Freedom is more important than free trade, he says.
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