Ukraine-Russia, NATO: “We don’t send our troops, no war with Moscow”

“What we see happening in Ukraine is extremely painful. The Ukrainian forces”, thanks also to the “leadership” of President Volodymyr Zelensky “are resisting the Russian invasion”. And “I expect” that tomorrow the leaders of the Atlantic Alliance “strengthen support” for the country under attack. “The accession of Ukraine to NATO is not on the agenda”, but the “support” of the Alliance in Kiev “yes”. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, presenting the summit of the leaders of the Alliance which will meet tomorrow in Brussels. NATO, he recalls, “is not a party to the conflict”, therefore “it will not send troops to Ukraine. We must understand that it is extremely important to provide support to Ukraine”, but also “to prevent this conflict from becoming a war between NATO and Russia”. Therefore, he finally reiterates, “we will not send soldiers to Ukraine”. Beyond the “immediate response” to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, NATO “will take some time to make some fundamental decisions on deterrence. and defense “. Among these, there will be “a significant increase in the presence on the ground on the eastern flank” of the Alliance, destined to last in the “long term”, predicts the secretary general of NATO, answering a question at a press conference in Brussels. 8 MULTINATIONAL BATTLES BORN FROM BALTIC TO BLACK SEA – NATO has deployed “eight multinational battalions” all over the eastern flank of the Alliance, “from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea”. Of these, “four” are “new” and are deployed in “Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia” says the NATO secretary general. “These battalions are already in place – adds the secretary general – will become more integrated and operational. forces that are largely already there “. The battlegroups are formed “for an important part” by national forces, to which “the allies contribute”. It is, he explains, an “immediate reaction” to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is “happening right now”. Today in Europe there are about “one hundred thousand American soldiers” in a state of “high alert”, deployed “mainly on the eastern side”, in addition to “40 thousand” soldiers from other allied countries. CHEMICAL WEAPONS – Russia’s use of chemical weapons in Ukraine “would totally change the nature of the conflict, would have far-reaching consequences and would be totally unacceptable,” says Stoltenberg. Russia, he continues, “has already used chemical weapons in Salisbury” , in England, against the former Russian agent Sergej Skripal and his daughter, and “facilitated” the Syrian regime in the use of this type of weapon. “We are worried and for this we will help Ukraine to protect itself”, he continues. “Any use of chemical or biological weapons would have consequences for NATO allied countries” bordering Ukraine, underlines the secretary general. NUCLEAR – In addition, Russia “must stop this rattling of nuclear sabers. It is dangerous and irresponsible,” said Stoltenberg, answering a question at a press conference in Brussels. “We have sent Russia the clear message that a nuclear war cannot be won and that it should never be fought,” he adds. The “nuclear rhetoric” that is being conveyed by the Russian media, Stoltenberg continues, “underlines the need to end the war in Ukraine. We must do everything possible to prevent the war from spreading beyond Ukraine, becoming even more lethal and dangerous” . THE ROLE OF CHINA – China has given “political support” to Russia that has invaded Ukraine and in NATO “the allies are concerned that it will give material support to the Russian invasion” says Stoltenberg. “I expect – he adds – that the leaders will ask China to refrain from supporting the war waged by Russia and to join the rest of the world” in demanding “an immediate end to the war” in Ukraine. Finally, Stoltenberg notes that Beijing has already “united” with Russia in hoping that NATO will not expand further in Europe, thus placing itself in conflict with the “right of nations to choose their own path”.