November 29, 2022
2 mins read

Putin trying to weaponise winter: NATO chief

In his opening remarks, Stoltenberg said that in response to Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, “we are raising the readiness of our troops”…reports Asian Lite News

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “failing in his brutal war of aggression” in Ukraine and is “responding with more brutality”.

He made the statement on Tuesday while attending a forum in the Romanian capital of Bucharest.

In his opening remarks, Stoltenberg said that in response to Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, “we are raising the readiness of our troops”.

“We have doubled the number of NATO battlegroups from four to eight, including one in Romania, led by France,” he said.

The Secretary General stressed that NATO allies and the alliance are not a party to the conflict in Ukraine, “but we are providing unprecedented support” to Kiev for as long as it takes.

“Because Ukraine is a nation that has the right to self- defence, a right which is enshrined in the UN Charter.”

According to the NATO chief, Putin is trying to “weaponise winter”.

“To force Ukrainians to freeze or flee. He is trying to break the will of the brave Ukrainian people. And to divide all of us who support them.”

Stoltenberg went on to say that NATO and its allies have made additional pledges to the alliance’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine which will fund urgent non-lethal support, including fuel and generators, as well as help fix critical energy infrastructure badly damaged by massive Russian missile and drone strikes.

“We realise that it is extremely important that President Putin is not able to win in Ukraine. That will be a tragedy for Ukraine, but it will also make the world more dangerous and much more vulnerable,” he added.

Later at a press conference with the NATO chief also in Bucharest, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the last time he met senior officials of the alliance, his three words were “weapons, weapons, weapons”.

“Today I have three other words, which are faster, faster and faster. We appreciate what has been done, but the war still goes on. Decisions on weapons and production lines have to be made faster,” Kuleba was quoted as saying.

Stoltenberg’s remarks come as the US-led NATO alliance has repeatedly ruled out supplying longer-range missiles and other such weaponry to Ukraine, amid concerns that this could lead to a major escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia.

ALSO READ: Putin’s ally says Russia will ‘send Ukraine to the 18th century’

Previous Story

Tiananmen Square again?

Next Story

Ukraine’s ‘surrender hotline’ for Russian soldiers gets huge response

Latest from -Top News

UK MPs Slam Pakistan Over Minority Abuses

Minority communities such as Shias, Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis continue to face harassment, violence, and intimidation. In many cases, law enforcement either turns a blind eye or enables the attacks through inaction…reports

Words Won’t Stop China, Quad Must Deliver

 If the Quad aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence, it must expand its focus beyond the maritime domain and address the continental dynamics of the Indo-Pacific…writes Imran Khurshid Despite early concerns that

India Stays Neutral on Dalai Lama Succession

As exiled Tibetan spiritual leader approaches his 90th birthday, he asserted on Wednesday that there will be the 15th reincarnation…reports Asian Lite News Responding to the Dalai Lama’s recent remarks, India on

USAID cut could kill 14 million more deaths

Human rights advocates and global health experts have expressed alarm at the speed and scale of the cuts…reports Asian Lite News A new study published in The Lancet has warned that ongoing

Trump goes nuclear on Mamdani

Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and son of Indian-Ugandan immigrants, secured a surprise victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.;…reports Asian Lite News President Donald Trump has intensified his
Go toTop

Don't Miss

NATO begins biggest-ever air drills

Major airports in Germany are planning for unscheduled late-night takeoffs

US says Sweden, Finland ready for NATO membership

Sweden and Finland have been jointly applying to join NATO,