If NATO is hesitant about Ukraine's membership, it should arm it to the teeth: Stoltenberg calls on former colleague to show political will

If NATO is hesitant about Ukraine's membership, member states should provide it with strong military assistance so that the country can defend itself and deter Russia. Military assistance is a lever of influence during the likely negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

This was stated by former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, January 22, Ukrinform reports. At the same time, he believes that the best guarantee of security for Ukraine is Article 5 on NATO's collective defense.

The members of the North Atlantic Alliance could decide for themselves how far Article 5 can be applied. As an example, he cited East Germany, which was not covered by guarantees. There were also U.S. guarantees for Japan without including the Kuril Islands occupied by Russia. Therefore, it is possible to extend Article 5 without the territories of Ukraine that are temporarily occupied by Russia.

"I understand that there is not much enthusiasm in the capitals around this (Ukraine's membership in NATO - Ed.). Then there is a secondary solution - to arm Ukrainians to the teeth. If we did something wrong in 2014, it was that we did not arm Ukraine from 2014 to 2022. In 2017-2018, there was a big discussion in NATO, and most countries said no to supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine because it could provoke Russia. And then there was President Trump, who decided to deliver lethal weapons to Ukraine," said the former NATO Secretary General.

Now the US president wants an agreement to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, but any agreement must include leverage. The leverage that the West has to influence Russia is military support for Ukraine, Stoltenberg said.

"The single most persuasive force in these negotiations is the brave Ukrainian soldiers and the weapons we provide them with. So if the United States continues to provide support, if Europe steps forward and we have the legal conditions to do so for a long time, then I think we can force Russia to change its calculations and accept a peace that is just and lasting," Stoltenberg emphasized.

As OBOZ.UA reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance depends on the United States. Other NATO member states will be guided by Washington's position. He believes that if Donald Trump sees Ukraine in NATO, everyone will be in favor.

According to Bloomberg, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will demand neutral status, limited military capabilities, and a rejection of NATO from Ukraine in any negotiations with new US President Donald Trump. And he will demand that all this be enshrined in the Constitution.

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