NATO ready to defend itself against “Moscow or Minsk”

2023-06-28 05:06:00

Jens Stoltenber, Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance, insisted that the West “must not underestimate Russia”.

By VD with AFP Jens Stoltenberg indicated that NATO would decide to strengthen its defense systems during an upcoming summit in mid-July in Lithuania. © OLIVIER MATTHYS / POOL / EPA POOL / EFE Published on 06/28/2023 at 05:06

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NATO is ready to defend itself against any threat from “Moscow or Minsk”, Atlantic Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday after Belarus announced that it would welcome Wagner’s boss, Yevgueni Prigojine . Jens Stoltenberg indicated that NATO was going to decide to strengthen its defense systems during an upcoming summit in mid-July in Lithuania in order to protect all its members, particularly those bordering Russia and Belarus.

“It is too early to pass a definitive judgment on the consequences of Prigojine’s installation in Belarus and on the very probable presence also in Belarus of part of its forces,” Jens Stoltenberg told the press. “What is crystal clear is that we have sent a clear message to Moscow and Minsk: NATO is here to protect every ally and every bit of NATO territory,” he told La Haye after a dinner with seven heads of state or government of the countries of the alliance.

The West ‘must not underestimate Russia’

“So there is no room for misunderstanding in Moscow or Minsk about our ability to defend the allies against any potential threat,” he continued. He also insisted that the West “must not underestimate Russia” despite the chaotic events of the past weekend. Belarus announced Tuesday the arrival on its territory of Evgueni Prigojine, within the framework of an agreement having put an end to its rebellion of 24 hours Saturday in Russia.

READ ALSOWagner’s rebellion: how Moscow experienced the “failed putsch” of Prigozhin

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, host of the dinner, for his part rejected claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the West wants Russians to kill each other. “I refute what Mr. Putin suggested yesterday that we Westerners want Russia to descend into internal chaos. On the contrary, instability in Russia breeds instability in Europe,” Rutte said.