Stoltenberg calls on NATO countries to continue supplying arms to Ukraine

Stoltenberg said this in an interview with the German DPA agency.

“It may sound like a paradox, but military support for Ukraine is the fastest way to peace,” he noted. 

According to the NATO Secretary General, a peaceful negotiated solution that will ensure the survival of Ukraine as an independent democratic state will appear if the allies provide enough weapons to fight against the aggressor. 

In addition, Stoltenberg believes that the recent Ukrainian attacks on military facilities in Russia are absolutely legal.

“Every country has the right to defend itself - also Ukraine,” he said. 

Stoltenberg also emphasized that it is also necessary to understand the context of the Ukrainian strikes. They are a response to Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure with the aim of depriving Ukrainian civilians of water, heating and electricity in winter.

“President Putin tries to turn winter into a weapon against civilians. This is not an attack on military targets with civilian collateral damage. This is a massive attack on civilians because millions of Ukrainians are deprived from these basic services,” the NATO chief added. 

Answering the question whether it is normal to provide Ukraine with medium-range missiles, the NATO Secretary General said that there is a constant dialogue between the Allies and Ukraine regarding specific systems.

He also noted that earlier NATO allies had already supplied long-range systems to Ukraine. These include HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery, as well as drones.

• On December 21, the USA announced the provision of a new USD 1 billion military aid package to Ukraine, as well as an additional USD 850 million aid package. The Patriot air defense system is included in the aid package.

• US President Joe Biden signed a legislative act with a state budget of USD 1.7 trillion, which includes almost USD 45 billion in aid to Ukraine and its allies to counter Russian aggression.

• On December 30, Bloomberg reported that the White House was considering the possibility of transferring Bradley fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The White House analyst called these IFVs “in effect, a light tank”