Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in a new interview that one of his regrets was not ensuring that Ukraine was stockpiled with weapons ahead of Russia's invasion nearly three years ago.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Stoltenberg said: “If there's one thing I regret in some ways and see more clearly now, I should have provided more military aid to Ukraine earlier.'' That's what I mean.'' Published on Fridaya few days after he left the post. “I think we all have to admit that we should have given them more weapons before the invasion.”
Stoltenberg suggested that earlier stockpiling could have lessened the blow to Ukraine since Russia began its military operation in February 2022.
“Sending deadly weapons was a big debate. Even before the invasion, most of the allies were against it. . . They were very afraid of the consequences,” he told the media. “I'm proud of what we've done so far, but there would have been great benefits if we had started earlier. Perhaps it could have even prevented the invasion, or at least made it much more difficult. could have been [Russia] To do what they have been doing. ”
Nevertheless, the former Norwegian leader even asked NATO to help put Ukraine in a successful position and start “crossing” Russian President Vladimir Putin's red line without retaliation. He said he did.
“If anything, I insisted that we cross all the so-called red lines that President Putin has set. And we've crossed many of them, and he hasn't done anything.” The reality is that if President Putin wants to escalate the use of weapons of mass destruction, he can create any number of excuses he needs. So far, we have called his bluff.”
Since he began ushering in a new era for the alliance, he has been strategically advancing support for Ukraine, developing a five-point plan to organize military support for Kiev. Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the new head of NATO, has also made securing financial support to maintain his country's independence a top priority.
Many believe this was done in part to prepare for another four years under former President Trump, who has consistently been unstintingly critical of the alliance.
“I remember some Allies thinking we should just give up and try to hide for four years without engaging. Some suggested not holding a NATO summit,” he recalled. . “I decided to do the opposite, which is to engage. . . . Whether there is a 10 percent chance of NATO collapsing under the Trump administration or a 90 percent chance, we will What we have to do hasn’t changed.”
Rutte appears to agree with that position, noting NATO's commitment in 2008 to welcome Ukraine into the alliance.
“There can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong and independent Ukraine,'' NATO's new Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in his first speech since taking office.
“The cost of supporting Ukraine is much lower than the cost we would face if we let President Putin have his way,” Rutte later added.
President Trump has promised to quickly end the Russia-Ukraine war if elected in November. In September, the Republican presidential candidate also promised a deal that would be good for “both sides” ahead of talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“We will work with both sides to resolve this issue,” he said.
“We have a very good relationship, and as you know, I have a very good relationship with President Putin,” Trump added, adding, “If we win, this issue will be resolved very quickly. I think so,” he added. ”
