The coming months will be difficult for Ukraine, so we must continue to support this country under attack and not make the mistake of underestimating Russia, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on 14 November in The Hague.
“Ukraine must decide what conditions are acceptable for entering into negotiations with Russia to end the war, our task is to support it,” Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference after his visit to the capital of the Netherlands.
The NATO secretary general stressed that Ukraine’s negotiating positions are determined by the results obtained on the battlefield. He also warned that the goal of the president of Russia Vladimir Putin is to keep Ukraine “cold and gloomy” this winter.
He said Russia still controls large parts of Ukraine and has emergency forces in the region. According to Stoltenberg, the Russian armed forces have significant capabilities and a large number of soldiers, and Moscow has shown its willingness to suffer losses. Moreover, the Russian armed forces allegedly, according to Stoltenberg, “show special cruelty.” What NATO should do in this situation is help the country under attack, he said.
The NATO Secretary General also stressed that every nation has the right to self-defense. The support provided by NATO member states to Ukraine guarantees the success of legitimate self-defense of the country, he stressed.
In conclusion, Stoltenberg thanked the Netherlands for providing Ukraine with resources, fuel, winter clothing, medical equipment and anti-drone systems, among other things.
Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Kaisa Ollongren stated at a press conference that, in addition to moral support to the Ukrainian people, as well as supporting the improvement of Ukraine’s military potential, the Netherlands provides training to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and “participates in the investigation of alleged war crimes” committed on the territory of the ‘Ukraine. Regarding the development of NATO’s military capabilities, the Defense Minister of the Netherlands stressed that “our armed forces are capable of gaining the upper hand in both present and future conflicts”. If Russia stops hostilities, the conflict will end. If Kiev ceases hostilities, then there will be no more Ukraine, the Dutch defense minister added.
Continued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra he said: “Kiev is not alone.” NATO and its member state, the Netherlands, will continue to support and reaffirm their determination to promote peace and security in Europe and around the world. To this end, the Hague will allocate 20 million euros to support NATO’s efforts in Ukraine, as well as 25 million euros to develop the capabilities of Ukraine’s armed forces, the Dutch foreign minister added.
