Stoltenberg: NATO will continue to help Ukraine in the war, but will not be a party to the conflict

NATO and its allies will continue to assist Ukraine in its defense against Russian invasion. However, they will do so in a way that does not involve them in the conflict.

This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before the summit of NATO's Eastern Flank on June 11. In his opinion, the bloc should also play a key role in supporting and training Ukrainian soldiers.

"NATO and its allies have made it clear from the very beginning that we stand by Ukraine, and NATO allies have provided unprecedented support to Ukraine. But NATO Allies have also made it clear that we will not be a party to the conflict," Stoltenberg said.

According to the NATO Secretary General, the bloc is helping Ukraine with ammunition and military training. And Stoltenberg is convinced that the allies should maintain and strengthen their support for Ukraine. However, he denies sending NATO troops to Ukraine.

"We are not involved in the conflict. You have to remember what it is. This is an aggressive war. Russia attacked another country, attacked Ukraine. And Ukraine, according to international law, has the right to defend itself. And we have the right to help Ukraine defend its right to self-defense, and we will do so in a way that does not involve NATO allies in the conflict," Stoltenberg emphasized.

During the NATO summit in Washington on July 9-11, the Secretary General said, the leaders of member states will discuss the strengthening of the Alliance's role in supporting Ukraine and the security challenges posed by China.

"We have important decisions to make on deterrence and defense in the context of supporting Ukraine, as well as how to strengthen cooperation with our Indo-Pacific partners to meet the security challenges posed by China," the NATO Secretary General said during a briefing with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

Stoltenberg believes that Ukraine should be supported "as long as it takes". In addition, he expressed hope that during the summit, NATO member states would agree that the political-military bloc should play a key role in supporting and training Ukrainian soldiers and agree to long-term financial commitments to Kyiv.

"NATO members already provide 99% of military support to Ukraine, so I think it makes sense for NATO to play a stronger coordination role. In addition, to prevent the gaps and delays that were observed in the winter," the Alliance Secretary General said.

Earlier, Stoltenberg said that NATO has made progress on three issues regarding Ukraine. These are better coordination of the Alliance in terms of arms supplies and training; determining long-term financial assistance; and Euro-Atlantic integration.

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