MOskow has stepped up its nuclear threats against the West. At the weekend’s economic summit in St. Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin said the first tactical nuclear weapons had been stationed in Belarus. “This is the first part,” Putin said. Further deployments would be completed by the end of the year. NATO is following the announcement with concern, even though the Western defense alliance currently sees no indications that the Kremlin could use nuclear weapons in the foreseeable future.
The events in neighboring Belarus, which is an ally of Russia, reinforce Ukraine’s demand for rapid accession to NATO. However, such a turbo accession is not in sight. “Ukraine’s future lies in NATO, but the priority now is that Ukraine asserts itself as a sovereign and independent state – otherwise there is no way to discuss membership,” said NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg to WELT AM SONNTAG. He added: “We must ensure that when this war ends, there are credible arrangements for the security of Ukraine, so that Russia cannot rearm and attack again and the cycle of Russian aggression is broken.”
Stoltenberg announced that at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July, NATO would adopt an aid package designed to bring Ukraine up to NATO standards over a period of several years. Political connections are also to be intensified. “This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO,” said the alliance leader.
Immediately before his visit to Berlin on Monday and Tuesday, the NATO chief praised Germany’s national security strategy, which was adopted on Wednesday and aims to strengthen the Bundeswehr through better equipment and operational readiness: “Germany’s first National Security Strategy is an important document and proof of the turning point,” says Stoltenberg. He welcomed Germany’s “clear commitment” to meeting NATO’s defense spending goals and building “one of the strongest armed forces in Europe.”
“Strong demonstration of Germany’s capabilities”
Germany’s leadership remains “essential for peace and security” in the Euro-Atlantic area. Stoltenberg also praised Berlin’s role in the biggest air force exercise in the history of NATO (“Air Defender”), which is taking place these days. “The exercise is a strong demonstration of Germany’s capabilities, and I thank Germany for hosting this maneuver.” gross domestic product (GDP) than the minimum”.
Stoltenberg also warned against hasty peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. “We all want this war to end. But for a peace to be lasting, it has to be fair,” said the Norwegian. “Peace cannot mean freezing the conflict and accepting a deal dictated by Russia. Only Ukraine alone can define the conditions that are acceptable.”
Olaf Scholz in the cockpit of a Eurofighter
The Federal Chancellor got a picture of the largest Luftwaffe maneuvers in NATO’s history – and climbed into the cockpit of a Eurofighter himself. There he was shown how the fighter jet, which has been used by the Bundeswehr for almost 20 years, is controlled.
On Saturday, a group of African leaders led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a self-declared “Peace Mission” Talks held with Kremlin chief Putin. The delegation had previously called on both sides to “de-escalate” in Kiev. “This war must end and there should be peace through negotiations,” President Ramaphosa said. NATO chief Stoltenberg pointed out that military successes would strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position: “The more occupied territory Ukraine can liberate, the better cards it has at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
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