Kyiv –
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg calls the war in Ukraine can last for years. For that he asked that the injection of aid for Ukraine continues.
“We have to prepare a lot for many years. We must not slack off the support to Ukraine even if it costs a lot,” Stoltenberg said in an interview with the German daily newspaper, Bild, as reported by the news agency AFPSunday (19/6/2022).
“It’s not just military support, we have to provide assistance because of rising energy and food prices,” he added.
For information, Russia has invaded Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Putin himself called the Russian military a ‘special military operation’ to Ukraine.
Putin strongly opposes Ukraine’s desire to join the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military alliance. Moscow considers NATO a threat to the security of its territory.
Putin has no problem with Ukraine joining the European Union
On the other hand, the European Commission on Friday (17/6) local time recommended that Ukraine and Moldova each be given the status of ‘candidate’ to join the European Union. Official ‘candidate’ status for Ukraine could pave the way for joining the European Union. This candidate status was earned after years of efforts from Ukraine.
A decision on the fate of Ukraine will probably be made official at a summit of leaders of European Union countries in Brussels, Belgium, on June 23-34. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the move and said he was ‘thankful’ to EU Chair Ursula von der Leyen and ‘every member of the European Commission for his historic decision’.
Putin then responded. He admitted that there was no problem if Ukraine joined the European Union. Putin’s attitude was different when Ukraine was rumored to be joining NATO.
As reported AFPSaturday (6/18/2022), Putin made this assertion when speaking at Russia’s annual economic forum, the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, on Friday (17/6) local time.
“We are not against it. It is their sovereign decision to join the economic union or not. It is their business, the people’s business. Ukraine,” Putin said at the forum.
“As far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their choice. The European Union is not a military alliance, unlike NATO,” Putin said.
However, Putin believes Ukraine will ‘turn into a semi-colony’ of Western countries if it joins the European Union. “That’s my opinion,” he said.
Watch also Video: British PM to Ukraine: Good Luck Destroy All Russian Tanks!
(dhn / imk)
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