NextGen Day

As “we live in a more dangerous world,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, partners must increase their defense budget.

As a former politician, Stoltenberg acknowledged that spending money on infrastructure, health care, and education is always “more enticing.” He made this statement in an exclusive interview with the British channel Sky News.

But he continued, “When we live in a more dangerous world, when we witness (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggressive measures against a sovereign, peaceful nation in Europe, Ukraine, and all the ominous language against NATO partners, then we need to invest more.”

According to NATO guidelines, the UK and the US spend more than 2 percent of their GDP on defense, but Stoltenberg stated, “we need to do more collectively.”

“The number of members who actually spend at least 2 percent on defense is increasing, and those who do not “have concrete plans in place” to do so, according to the top NATO official.

When asked about the possibility that Russian soldiers intentionally damaged a nuclear plant in Ukraine, Stoltenberg responded that this was “a very hazardous situation” for both Ukraine and all of Europe.

He criticized Russia for using the survey area surrounding Zaporizhzhya, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, as a “launching pad for artillery for strikes on Ukrainian forces,” calling it “dangerous and foolish.”

In order for the International Atomic Energy Agency to be able to assess the site, the Russians must withdraw their soldiers from the nuclear power plant, and the Ukrainian operators must be free to conduct their operations in a safe and orderly setting, according to Stoltenberg.

According to him, Russia’s illegitimate annexation of Crimea and the stationing of troops in the eastern Donbas region—where Moscow also provided backing to rebel forces—launched its war against Ukraine in 2014. “Consequently, the Russian offensive against Ukraine did not begin in February of this year. Eight years ago, it first began.”

“Then, of course, they witnessed a full-fledged invasion this year. And they have been planning the invasion for months “Added he.

Furthermore, according to Stoltenberg, Russian President Putin wants to “re-establish some sort of sphere of influence” over its neighbors, especially Ukraine.

According to the head of NATO, since 2014, alliance countries have provided Ukraine with military supplies and training, bolstering its armed forces.

He added that this right was “enshrined in the UN Charter” and that “we should help Ukraine” in exercising it.

“Most likely, the war will be settled through negotiations. Vice President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy made this point quite plain. However, we are aware that the level of strength on the battlefield is supposed to determine what Ukraine may achieve at the bargaining table.

The only approach to guarantee that the negotiations culminate in a resolution that is acceptable to Ukraine, according to Stoltenberg, is to help Ukraine immediately with military, economic, financial, and humanitarian aid.

“Final decisions on discussions and what sort of deal they are ready to enter into,” he continued, “had to be made by Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.”

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