NATO allies remain committed to “repelling Russian aggression” in Ukraine and also to give kyiv a “strong position” at the negotiating table. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, assured that the objective is to “guarantee Ukrainian sovereignty”, as well as defend “democratic values”. To this end, it is necessary weapons — something that the United States has provided to kyiv, maintaining a “relationship of trust” with the Ukrainian authorities so that these do not attack russia with american weaponsusing it only for ends defensive.

In a press conference that brought together Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the head of US diplomacy stressed that it was Russia that attacked Ukraine and that this justifies sending weapons, also mentioning that “the best way to avoid an escalation is for Russia to end the aggression and the war.”. In turn, the top leader of the military alliance regretted that “no sign” is seen for this to happen.

The leaders agreed that Russia, when it launched the invasion, did not expect NATO unity. “What we see is unprecedented unity among NATO allies in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. The heavy sanctions are unprecedented,” said Jens Stoltenberg, who believes Russian President Vladimir Putin committed a “strategic error”: “He underestimated the power and skill of the Ukrainian people in defending their country and also underestimated NATO partners and allies in their support of Ukraine.”

“If President Putin wins it is dangerous and the price we will have to pay is higher”, noted Jens Stoltenberg, who also assured that the allies are “supervising the nuclear exercises” of Russia. “Rhetoric is dangerous, it is something that increases tension,” warned the Norwegian, noting, however, that “there has been no change in Russia’s nuclear posture”.

On the current phase of fighting in eastern Ukraine, Antony Blinken stressed that the “wars are unpredictable” and that the conflict will evolve so that Moscow and kyiv sit at the negotiating table. Without knowing in detail when that will happen, the Secretary of State said that it also depends on “Ukraine’s ability” to prevail at the negotiating table.

Sweden and Finland in NATO are “victory for democracy”

Antony Blinken also referred to the decision of Finland and Sweden to join NATO. “It was a victory for democracy”, he is stressed. The reason? The leaders of the Nordic countries “seek NATO not because the leaders want it, but because the citizens want it.” This is unlike autocratic states, like Russia, whose leaders “lie to their people to start a war.”

The possible Turkish veto to the entrance of Finland and Sweden is an issue that is being discussed by all the member states of the defensive alliance. By the way, Jens Stoltenberg announced that there will be a meeting “in the next few days”, in Brussels, between the main Finnish, Swedish and Turkish leaders.

The three countries need to discuss the differences between them.pointed out the secretary general, who guaranteed to take into account the concerns of Turkey, an “important ally” due to its geographical position.