Former NATO Chief Warns of Potential NATO Countries Sending Soldiers to Ukraine Without Security Guarantees

NEW YORK (Dagbladet): In July, the NATO countries will meet for a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The former secretary-general is now warning that several NATO countries will probably send soldiers to Ukraine if NATO does not agree on the necessary security guarantees.

The statement comes after Stoltenberg has made it clear that NATO only provides a full security guarantee to countries that are full members of the defense alliance.

– Very engaged

– If NATO does not agree on a clear way forward for Ukraine, there is a clear possibility that some countries can take action individually. We know that Poland is very committed to providing concrete assistance to Ukraine, says Rasmussen, according to the report The Guardian and adds:

– I would not rule out the possibility that Poland will engage even more strongly in this context on a national basis and be followed by the Baltic countries, perhaps including the possibility of soldiers on the ground.

– The sentence will be merciless

The former NATO chief and former Danish prime minister believes it would be legal for Ukraine to ask for that kind of support.

Polish coalition

– I think the Poles are seriously considering stepping in and gathering a coalition of the willing if Ukraine does not get anything in Vilnius. We must not underestimate the Polish feelings. The Poles feel that Western Europe for too long failed to listen to their warnings about the actual Russian mentality, says Rasmussen.

He believes that Ukraine must now receive a written security guarantee, which also includes the exchange of intelligence, joint training, expanded ammunition production and the supply of weapons sufficient to deter Russia from further attacks.

– Shaken by the UN

– Disappointment

Stoltenberg has previously made it clear that Ukraine will eventually become a NATO member, but that this is in the long term after the war against Russia is over.

However, Rasmussen believes that history shows that it is dangerous to let Ukraine wait too long. He therefore believes that the meeting in Vilnius should give Ukraine a clear path to full membership in NATO, and points to how the application process was accelerated for Sweden and Finland.

– Anything other than that will be a disappointment for Ukraine, says Rasmussen.