Zelenski challenged NATO to do more. ‘The war has now been going on for a month. We haven’t seen such destruction since World War II.” According to the Ukrainian president, who spoke to the leaders via video link, “Nato has yet to show what the alliance can do to save people. […] The world is waiting. And Ukraine waits.’
Secretary-General Stoltenberg said in a press conference after the NATO summit that the alliance and individual member states have provided and will continue to provide “significant support” to Ukraine — and that this aid also has an impact on the battlefield. But the alliance also has a responsibility, he said, to ensure there is no “full war” with Russia. “We have to be honest about that.”
Phosphorus Bombs
But Zelensky made an urgent appeal for more military aid and accused Russia of using phosphorus bombs. “To save people and our cities, Ukraine needs military aid without restrictions. In the same way, Russia is using its full arsenal against us.’
Ukraine has unsuccessfully requested fighter jets, Zelensky recalled. “You have thousands of fighters, but we haven’t received one yet.” The Ukrainian president also asked for tanks. “You have at least 20,000 tanks. Give 1 percent of it to us, or sell it to us. But we don’t have an answer yet. The worst thing during a war is not getting immediate answers to requests for help.’
Stocks are running out
Ukraine’s ambassador to London, Vadym Prystaiko, warned the summit that armed forces are seeing the end of stockpiles of critical weapons. “We didn’t have enough anyway, but next week we won’t have certain weapons anymore.” He expressed the hope that NATO countries would be able to replenish supplies.
“We must ensure that the decision to invade a sovereign country is understood as a strategic mistake that will lead to ruinous costs for Putin and Russia,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a speech to the European Parliament.
‘Maximum possible’
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening that ‘the maximum possible’ is already being done to help Ukraine militarily. He also pointed to the practical problems of announcing an import ban on Russian oil and/or gas, although he said that the cabinet has ‘no taboos’ regarding possible new sanctions.
NATO leaders decided on Thursday four new multinational so-called ‘battle groups‘ (units of about a thousand soldiers) to Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. This means eight such smaller multinational units will operate on the eastern flank, ‘from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea’.
Stoltenberg longer in office
NATO will help Ukraine, among other things, with more assistance against cyber-attacks and with protective equipment against chemical, biological, radiological and/or nuclear weapons, Stoltenberg said. This concerns protection and detection equipment and medical goods. Stoltenberg said NATO leaders are concerned about Russia’s possible use of chemical weapons.
Stoltenberg confirmed that he will remain in office for an additional year and that he is “honoured” by the request from member states to do so. Behind the scenes, especially the Americans had insisted on this, because it would not be a good idea to suddenly present a new face during a war.