In an interview with Welt, Stoltenberg stressed that he did not share the fears of some European politicians that the supply of battle tanks could lead to escalation.
“There is now a process of consultation between the allies regarding what weapons we should supply to Ukraine. But the most important thing to remember is that this is a war of aggression in which Russia invaded an independent country. Of course, most wars end at the negotiating table. But what Ukraine can achieve in such negotiations depends on its position on the battlefield,” the NATO Secretary General said.
According to him, first of all, Ukraine should remain a sovereign and free country.
“It may seem like a contradiction, but we need to clarify the situation on the battlefield, and then we can reach a solution. That's why we need to deliver appropriate weapons to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg emphasized.
On the evening of January 24, Der Spiegel reported that Germany had decided to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
The leader of the French far-right, Marine Le Pen, who is known for her pro-Russian position, opposed the transfer of heavy weapons to Ukraine “to avoid escalation.”