NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed that the military alliance has no intentions of deploying combat troops into Ukraine, despite speculations that some Western nations are contemplating sending troops to the war-torn country. Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO allies have been extending unprecedented support to Ukraine since 2014, with increased assistance following the recent full-scale invasion by Russia. However, he clarified that there are no plans for NATO combat troops on Ukrainian soil.
During discussions in Paris involving officials from over 20 countries to explore options for bolstering support to Ukraine, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico mentioned the consideration of potential bilateral agreements to dispatch troops to aid Ukraine in repelling the Russian invasion. Nevertheless, Fico stated that Slovakia does not intend to propose sending soldiers, and other officials from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland echoed similar sentiments, ruling out the deployment of troops to Ukraine.
While NATO refrains from military intervention, Stoltenberg condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine as a blatant violation of international law. He stressed Ukraine's right to self-defense and reiterated NATO's commitment to supporting Ukraine in upholding that right. The alliance currently provides non-lethal aid to Ukraine, including medical supplies, uniforms, and winter equipment, while some member countries independently supply weapons and ammunition.
Although the prospect of sending troops to Ukraine has been a sensitive topic, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Western military intervention should not be dismissed entirely, especially as Russia's invasion persists. Macron emphasized the need to prevent Russia from achieving victory in the conflict. The recent signing of long-term security agreements between Ukraine and France, Germany, and the U.K. underscores ongoing Western support for Kyiv.
European nations are concerned about potential shifts in U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly amid delays in aid approval by the U.S. Congress. In response, several European countries have expressed solidarity with the Czech Republic's initiative to procure shells for Ukraine outside the European Union. Macron also announced plans to establish a coalition to supply medium and long-range missiles to Ukraine.
Stoltenberg hinted at the possibility of allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to target Russian military assets, emphasizing Ukraine's right to self-defense. Meanwhile, Sweden has cleared the final hurdle to becoming a NATO member, further shaping the dynamics of the alliance's response to the ongoing conflict.
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