RT.com
29 Nov 2022, 18:13 GMT+10
The head of the US-led military bloc claimed supporting Ukraine is in the interest of all member states
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance is set to expand its presence across Eastern Europe, from the Black Sea to the Baltics, hoping to send a "clear message" to Russia as fighting rages on in Ukraine.
Speaking in Romania on Monday ahead of a two-day NATO summit, Stoltenberg told reporters that Europe is facing the "greatest security crisis in a generation," stressing the need to bolster areas of "strategic importance" in retaliation for Moscow's ongoing offensive.
"In response to Russia's aggression, NATO is reinforcing its presence from the Baltic to the Black Sea. We have set up new battlegroups, including the one led by France here in Romania," he said. "Fighter jets from Canada also help to keep your skies safe and US Patriot missiles boost your defenses. This sends a clear message that NATO is here. We will do what is necessary to protect and defend all allies."
Asked about when NATO hopefuls Sweden and Finland might be admitted into the alliance, Stoltenberg said he is "confident" the bloc's 30 members will eventually approve their applications, but could not say when that would happen, as Turkey and Hungary have yet to ratify the decision. However, he noted the two Nordic states would help to "reinforce the Eastern flank, especially the Baltics," given their "well-trained and well-equipped high-end military capabilities."
A NATO foreign ministers' meeting will kick off in Bucharest on Tuesday, where Stoltenberg said members will "address ways to step up our support for Ukraine." He hailed Romania's "significant military assistance" to Kiev, claiming it is "in our own security interest" to back Ukrainian forces, while insisting: "We cannot let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin win."
Officials will also discuss the provision of new air defense systems to Ukraine, training soldiers on how to use them, as well as resupplying spare parts and ammunition for weapons already on the battlefield, the NATO chief added.
Kiev has received a long list of heavy weaponry from Western allies, with the United States alone approving more than $19 billion in direct military aid since late February, including dozens of long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), more than 46,000 anti-armor platforms, and nearly 200 artillery pieces. Washington and its partners have vowed to continue such assistance, despite reports that a majority of NATO states have severely depleted their weapons and ammunition stocks after countless arms transfers to Ukraine.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Zimbabwe Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON, DC - FBI agents on Wednesday searched for classified documents at U.S. President Joe Biden's vacation retreat in the ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The White House said this week that Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk met with John Podesta, a Democratic ...
MANILA, Philippines: In an effort to attract more tourists, President Ferdinand Marcos has approved a value-added tax refund program for ...
TRIPOLI, Libya: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni held talks on energy and migration in Libya this weekend, which are major ...
MIAMI, Florida: This decade, the US south is expected to see more new residents than any other region in the ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: After reporting record revenues in the fourth-quarter of 2022, US airlines expect strong travel demand ...
TRIPOLI, Libya: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni held talks on energy and migration in Libya this weekend, which are major ...
Washington [US], February 2 (ANI): Colombian singer Shakira has earned the title of 'Queen of Latin Music' for her outstanding ...
New Delhi [India], February 2 (ANI): A 14-member delegation, comprising members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) of ...
washington - The United States on Wednesday voiced alarm over Sudan's release of a man sentenced to death over the ...
Nigerians will soon determine who their next president will be in a general election. Polling is due at the end ...
Mogadishu - The leaders of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia met Wednesday in the Somali capital to discuss the ongoing ...