“Putin started the war”
NATO Secretary General against Ukraine’s “surrender”.
March 11, 2024, 2:15 p.m
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The Pope’s statements about the war in Ukraine also brought NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to the fore. “Surrender is not peace,” he makes clear. Putin started the war and can end it today. “Ukraine, on the other hand, does not have this option.”
NATO has rejected the Pope’s push for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. “Surrender is not peace,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, without mentioning Pope Francis by name.
Stoltenberg continued: “President Putin started this war and he could end it today. Ukraine, on the other hand, does not have this option.” He called on all allies to continue to support Kiev militarily.
At the weekend, the Pope told the Swiss broadcaster RSI, alluding to Ukraine, that the one who shows strength is “who has the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate.” Ukraine strongly rejected the call. There was also predominantly criticism from Germany.
NATO states are allowed to help Ukraine with self-defense
Stoltenberg also recalled the right to self-defense: “We must remember what is happening here: This is a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, and Ukraine has the right to self-defense enshrined in the United Nations Charter,” said Stoltenberg. This means that NATO countries have the right to help Ukraine protect its right to self-defense.
He welcomes the fact that several allies are already supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons systems. He cited the provision of Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles by Great Britain and France as examples. At the same time, Stoltenberg praised the Federal Republic’s contribution to date in supporting Ukraine and referred, for example, to the delivery of air defense systems and battle tanks. Germany is a leading nation when it comes to military support, said the Norwegian.
The possible delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine has been discussed in Germany for months. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far rejected this on the grounds that Germany could be drawn into the war through the use of Taurus missiles with a range of 500 kilometers.
Stoltenberg made the comments on the sidelines of a ceremony for Sweden’s acceptance into NATO. In front of the Brussels headquarters, the Swedish flag was hoisted in a circle with the banners of the other Allies. The Swedish anthem was played. Stoltenberg spoke of a “historic day” that would make NATO and Sweden stronger. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that the NATO motto now also applies to his country: “One for all, all for one.”