The general secretary of the I’LL TAKEJens Stoltenberg, has described as “dangerous” and “irresponsible” the “reckless nuclear rhetoric” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which together with the illegal annexation of several Ukrainian territories and the partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists, constitutes the “climbing most important since the beginning of the war” on February 24, although it has made it clear that the organization is prepared to respond to any threat and remains vigilant. “Russia he knows that nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought. We closely follow Russia’s nuclear forces. We have not seen any change in Russia’s position, but we remain vigilant,” he said on the eve of a new meeting of defense ministers of the allied countries this Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels.
The meeting will allow NATO countries to assess progress in terms of deterrence y defendingthe level of protection of the critical infrastructure in light of the recent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines and to close ranks again with Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, will also participate in the meeting, as explained by Stoltenberg, to explain the situation on the ground and specify the military needs both within the framework of the ministerial meeting and in the contact group for Ukraine. led by the United States. In recent days, countries such as Germany have announced their intention to provide more advanced air defense systems and other capabilities.
“indiscriminate” attacks
“We will strengthen our support for Ukraine so that they can continue to defend themselves and liberate territory from Russian occupation,” he said in a brief press appearance in which he denounced the latest “indiscriminate Russian” attacks against the civilian population. “President Putin is failing in Ukraine. His annexation attempts, his partial mobilization and its reckless nuclear rhetoric represent the most important escalation since the beginning of the war and show that this war is not developing according to plan,” he warned, reiterating that NATO stands with Ukraine and will support the country as long as necessary. ” President Putin started this war and he must end it by withdrawing his troops from Ukraine.”
As he explained, NATO will also hold a regular meeting this Friday nuclear planning group whose purpose is deterrence as well as nuclear maneuvers with the holding of a routine deterrence exercise next week that was already planned and that has ruled out canceling. “It would be the wrong signal if we were to cancel a long-planned routine exercise,” he said. Stoltenberg added that at the ministerial meeting they will also make decisions to increase ammunition and equipment reserves and accelerate the delivery of capabilities.