Stoltenberg on weapons for Ukraine: NATO should help defeat Russia on battlefield

"No one knows how this war will end... Most wars end, as a rule, at the negotiating table. But one must realize that what Ukraine can achieve at the negotiating table depends entirely on what will be achieved on the battlefield. Putin has not changed his goals: complete control over all of Ukraine. Therefore, the only way, the condition for a peaceful solution is an unequivocal message to Putin: he will not win on the battlefield. We have to create these conditions," Stoltenberg said on the air of the Welt German TV channel, Ukrinform reports.

He added that allies and partners should create favorable conditions for Ukraine on the front line by providing the necessary weapons.

According to the NATO Secretary General, the allies discuss now which weapons to transfer to Ukraine and how to ensure the effective functioning of the systems transferred earlier.

Stoltenberg disagreed with the assessment that the current debate over the transfer of battle tanks is splitting the Alliance and that Germany has pitted itself against other countries. Sometimes making such decisions requires time and consultations, the content of which is not made public, the politician added.

"In general, we see a serious strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities, so that it not only survives but also can win this war... We must move forward and not allow Putin to win. This would create a very threatening situation for our security interests. We have to make sure that Ukraine wins," the NATO chief said.

As reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on allies and partners to urgently increase the amount of security assistance to Ukraine following the Ramstein format meeting.

ol