Stoltenberg: Russia can not win a nuclear war

LAST UPDATE: 17.23

NATO warned on Wednesday that Russia’s war in Ukraine should not escalate into a nuclear confrontation between Moscow and the West.

“Russia must stop this dangerous and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference, according to Reuters. “But let there be no doubt about our readiness to protect and defend our allies against any threat at any time.”

“Russia must understand that it can never win a nuclear war,” he said on the eve of a summit of military alliance leaders in Brussels. “NATO is not part of the conflict. It provides support to Ukraine, but it is not part of the conflict.”

“NATO will not send troops to Ukraine. It is extremely important that we provide support to Ukraine and intensify our efforts. But at the same time it is also extremely important to prevent this conflict from escalating into a full-scale war between NATO and Russia.”

NATO, meanwhile, worries that China could support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Stoltenberg said, adding that the 30 member states would discuss Beijing’s role in Moscow’s war in Brussels on Thursday.

“China has provided political support to Russia, including by spreading blatant lies and misinformation,” he said.

Stoltenberg expressed concern that China could provide “material support” to Russia. “I expect NATO to call on China to live up to its responsibilities,” he said.

Stoltenberg also said Belarus was “complicit” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even before it began, allowing its territory to be used for troop mobilization, and continued to allow the invasion.

He added that Belarus had also allowed its military airfields to be used by Russian forces to launch attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians.

The use of chemical weapons in Russia’s war in Ukraine would have far-reaching consequences, the NATO secretary general has warned. “Any use of chemical weapons would completely change the nature of the war, would be a gross violation of international law and would have far-reaching consequences,” Stoltenberg said.

NATO leaders are expected to decide tomorrow on the strengthening of the NATO-led force across the eastern front, with the deployment of four new combat units in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, Stoltenberg said.

“Tomorrow at the Summit we will take further decisions. I expect NATO leaders to agree to strengthen the NATO presence at all levels. Mainly by strengthening forces in the eastern part of the Alliance, on land, air and sea,” he said. G. Stoltenberg, emphasizing that the first step will be the development of four new battle units in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, in addition to the existing forces in the Baltic countries and Poland. That means NATO will deploy a total of eight multinational combat units along the eastern flank, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, Stoltenberg explained. “We are facing a new security reality and we need to adjust our deterrence and defense in the long run,” he said.

In addition, the leaders of NATO member states will reaffirm their support for Ukraine. “Ukraine has the right to self-defense, based on the UN Charter, and we will help it maintain this fundamental right,” Stoltenberg said. He said NATO allies had stepped up military support for Ukraine by providing anti-tank, air defense systems, drones, ammunition, fuel, as well as providing financial assistance and hosting millions of refugees. “Tomorrow I expect the Allies to agree to provide additional support, which will include cyber assistance, but also equipment that will help Ukraine protect itself from chemical, biological and nuclear threats,” he added. of NATO.

However, Stoltenberg reiterated that NATO has a responsibility to ensure that the war does not escalate beyond Ukraine and does not turn into a NATO-Russia conflict, which would bring more deaths and destruction.

“President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is causing daily deaths and destruction. The Allies stand united in support of the brave people of Ukraine against the Kremlin’s cruelty. Putin must end this war, allow aid and secure passage. “and to engage in real diplomacy,” said Stoltenberg.