NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, as reported on the social network X. This visit, his third since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, occurred during a challenging period on the battlefield for Ukraine.
Stoltenberg released a photo showing him in Kyiv, shaking hands with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Important to visit Kyiv again and meet with President @ZelenskyyUa. The situation is difficult, but it is not too late for #Ukraine to prevail – and more support is on the way. #NATO is also stepping up for the long haul, putting Ukraine on an irreversible path to the Alliance. pic.twitter.com/VbY1F8fBMR
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) April 29, 2024
“Important to visit Kyiv again and meet with President Zelensky,” wrote Stoltenberg.
“The situation is difficult, but it is not too late for Ukraine to prevail – and more support is on the way. NATO is also stepping up for the long haul, putting Ukraine on an irreversible path to the Alliance,” he added.
Ukrainian media report that during the meeting, Stoltenberg and Zelensky discussed the initiative to create a special fund for financial support of Ukrainian defense, totaling 100 billion euros over five years.
“Allies truly have an opportunity to implement such an initiative,” the president said.
As reported by Reuters, Stoltenberg mentioned his intention to honestly communicate with President Zelensky and the Verkhovna Rada regarding NATO allies' failure to fulfill their promises made over the past few months. He made this statement during his train journey into Kyiv on Monday.
“The United States spent six months to agree on a package and European allies have not delivered the ammunition we promised. But now I'm confident that things will change,” he stated.
Biden Officials Raise Concerns About Russian Momentum – NYT
Moreover, Stoltenberg revealed that Germany had agreed to provide a new Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, and the Netherlands had increased its aid to Kyiv. He expressed expectation for further “new commitments.”
“This will make a difference – as the lack of support has made a difference,” he said, hinting at the challenges Ukraine has encountered in its military campaigns.
Stoltenberg disclosed that the Russians had paid “a high price for marginal territorial gains” and said that Ukraine could still reverse the situation.
“It's not too late for Ukraine to prevail,” he said.
“But that's why it's so urgent for NATO allies to fulfill our promises and translate commitments into real deliveries of weapons and ammunition. I am confident that this will now happen,” Stoltenberg added.
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Comments (5)
@MGRA troll S Wolfskin, Well let's just think about your comment about democracy for a minute.
Russia's monarchy collapsed in 1921. It successor autocracy would have also collapsed in 1943 had democratic allies not bailed it out when Stalin's good buddy Hitler turned on him (they were NAZI war allies in 1939-41). The illusion of 'mighty russia' again collapsed in 1991 following its Afghanistan invasion debacle.
It well on track to collapsing again in this Ukraine invasion debacle.
Each collapse because of poor directions from corrupt leadership and its brainwashed public blindly following these bad orders. The things its leadership does to its own people similarly outrageous (Kolyma Road of bones one of many examples). Its people's now nihilistic mindset, fails to inspire anyone to make the world better. Its contributions to things like innovation, humane rights, environmental sustainability way below what one would expect for a nation of its size.
Seems when russians are not in the midst of there own self created disaster, its leaders are in the process of sowing disaster elsewhere. No wonder no other nations want to partner with it (beyond putin controlled cronies).
Russia leaderships tendency towards lying, stealing, corruption, genocide has led to its collapse more times than that of any democracy. Former victims of Russia's oppressive rule eventually wiggle free and return back to the democratic model.
Can anyone (other than MRG's trolls) imagine how awful a world where putin had more power would be. He actually pays trolls to the allied news sites of the countries he tries to physically destroy, just to spread russian 'esque hate. What a cruel, mean spirited and unethical race.
Fortunately 100's of thousands of them are dying in the process of committing their thug masters crimes.
I take some optimism from Stoltenberg's admission that NATO allies had previously failed to deliver aid fast enough, but that this is now changing. Certainly in valuation, the weapons support about to be given to Ukraine in the remainder of this year is considerably larger than that of earlier years. As importantly though is it includes the longer range weapons Ukraine had been denied in the past. I sure hope NATO boots on the ground follow. Allies need to ramp up their physical support in defence of Ukraine.
With even the older stock, sometimes gimped down weapons (limited range Himars, drones) they had been previously given, look at the huge toll Ukraine has taken on Russias military. The numbers are already stunning.
This remainder of this year is about to get very bad for the russian invaders. I think they will finally reap a crushing measure of the angst they have sown
@John, sensible and resolute analysis
If Russia prevails, it will have shown it can take on the world and win, and that will be a sad day for democracy.
I am so scared for the Ukrainian people.
@Jeffrey, I am scared for your Russian ass self ...
@Jeffrey, Such a statement is an insult to the courage, the resolve, the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Hey Jeff, go by Jeff. "Jeffrey" makes you sound like a pussy. Your post confirms you are a pussy.
Stoltenberg, go to the front lines you NATO coward.