NATO Secretary General makes statement on Ukraine: 'It cannot wait any longer'

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Stoltenberg held a joint press conference after meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Stoltenberg stated, "Ukraine cannot wait any longer. It needs air defense, ammunition, and aid immediately," adding that the Ukrainians have already achieved many successes.

Noting that Ukraine can succeed but needs their support, Stoltenberg said that NATO is actively working to provide reliable and predictable security support to Ukraine.

Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine needs NATO commitments rather than voluntary contributions, and long-term promises rather than short-term offers, adding, "Moscow needs to understand that we will not walk away from this issue."

Thanking Finland for its strong support for NATO's aid to Ukraine, Stoltenberg also expressed his satisfaction with the 10-year security agreement Finland signed with Kyiv last week.

"AN ATTACK ON ONE IS AN ATTACK ON ALL"

Pointing out that they should never take peace for granted and that they live in a dangerous world, Stoltenberg said, "NATO has become stronger to maintain peace and prevent war, just as it has successfully done for 75 years. We do not see any imminent military threat against any NATO ally because NATO's deterrence is working; we are all together. An attack on one will mean an attack on all. This is the best way to prevent a military attack on a NATO ally."

Stoltenberg pointed out that Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that NATO also has the right to help Ukraine exercise its right to self-defense without becoming a part of this war.

Regarding Ukraine's right to self-defense, Stoltenberg stated, "Furthermore, Ukraine also has the right to attack legitimate military targets outside of Ukraine to defend itself," and added that he welcomes the military support provided by allies for Ukraine's self-defense.

Stoltenberg mentioned that they have initiated a new adaptation process in NATO's command structure, including the memberships of Finland and Sweden, and that within this scope, there will be different command components located in different parts of Europe, including the Northern region.

BECAUSE OF THE FINNISH ARMY...

Reminding that Finland became a member of NATO on April 4, 2023, Stubb said, "In my meeting with the Secretary General, I emphasized the fact that the Alliance has doubled its border with Russia. If the Alliance defines Russia as the number one security threat, we as Finland will be fully aware of our responsibility toward the Alliance. My goal as President, and our goal as Finland, is to be a loyal, constructive, and responsible partner in NATO."

Stubb stated that Finland can be considered one of NATO's medium-sized countries in terms of the size of its army, noting that they have the capacity to mobilize 280,000 people in wartime with 900,000 men and women who have undergone military training, and that they are a country within the Alliance that possesses long-range missiles for land, air, and sea, and, along with Poland, have the largest artillery force.

Speaking about the warning from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell that Europe should prepare for a possible war, Stubb noted that his country, Finland, will continue to support Ukraine decisively and that Ukraine needs ammunition, weapons, and vehicles, reiterating the message of "60 billion dollars of support for Ukraine from the US Congress."

Stubb emphasized that Europe must also continue its support for Ukraine and that the way to prevent the war from spreading to European soil is through supporting Ukraine.

Pointing out that Finland has announced its 23rd aid package to Ukraine and that they have provided 2.9 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine, including 2 billion dollars in military and 900 million dollars in humanitarian aid, Stubb stated that they most recently provided air defense and heavy ammunition support to Ukraine.

Stubb stated that no decision has been made yet regarding the establishment of a land component command under the Joint Force Command Norfolk, and noted the following:

"A military decision must be made that determines where the best place is for air defense, where the best place is for maritime defense, and where the best place is for land defense. We are working with our allies for the best solution, and this has very little to do with regional politics, and very little to do with politics; this is entirely a military decision."