NATO Makes New Statement On Nuclear Weapons In Belarus
- 18.06.2023, 22:52
The Alliance is watching the situation with concern.
The deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus tightens Ukraine's demand for a quick entry into NATO. The Alliance is watching the situation with concern.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke about this, RBC-Ukraine reports with a reference to Welt.
According to Stoltenberg, developments in Belarus, which is a Russian ally, reinforce Ukraine's demand for a quick entry into NATO.
Commenting on the increased nuclear threat against the West from Moscow, in particular, through the deployment of appropriate weapons in Belarus, the head of NATO said that the Alliance was watching this statement with concern, although so far he did not see signs that the Kremlin might use nuclear weapons in the foreseeable future.
Stoltenberg also noted the importance of German leadership, which is “necessary for peace” in Europe.
On Monday, the head of NATO will visit Berlin, where he will hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Stoltenberg on negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
NATO Secretary General warned against hasty peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
“We all want this war to end. But for peace to be lasting, it must be fair,” he said.
Peace, according to Stoltenberg, cannot mean freezing the conflict and accepting the conditions dictated by Russia. Only Ukraine can determine the conditions that are acceptable.
The head of NATO noted that military successes would strengthen Ukraine's position in the negotiations.
“The more occupied territories Ukraine can liberate, the better cards it will have at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace,” Stoltenberg added.
Ukraine and NATO
“The future of Ukraine is in NATO, but right now the priority for Ukraine is to establish itself as a sovereign and independent state — otherwise there is no way to discuss membership... We must make sure that when this war is over, there will be reliable arrangements for the security of Ukraine, so that Russia is not able to rearm and attack again, and the cycle of Russian aggression is broken,” Stoltenberg said.
He announced that at the Vilnius summit in July, NATO would adopt an aid package designed to bring Ukraine up to NATO standards within a few years. In particular, it is planned to intensify political ties.
“This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO,” the alliance leader said, but noted that there would be no accelerated entry.
New format of cooperation between NATO and Ukraine
The North Atlantic Alliance started talking about the creation of the Ukraine-NATO Council. Such a format should replace the Ukraine-NATO Commission and provide Kyiv with a wider range of opportunities.
The new format of cooperation will raise the status of relations between Ukraine and the Alliance, and will allow initiating meetings at any time, as well as open doors for new areas of cooperation.
Read more about the creation of a new format of relations between Ukraine and NATO in the article by RBC-Ukraine — “Council instead of Commission. NATO has started talking about a new format for Ukraine, but there are questions.”