Blinken reiterates NATO's 'unwavering' support for Ukraine

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated on Wednesday NATO's "unwavering" support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"Some are questioning whether the United States and other NATO allies should continue to stand with Ukraine as we enter the second winter of (Vladimir) Putin's brutality," Antony Blinken said after the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Brussels.

"But the answer here today at NATO is clear. And it's unwavering. We must and we will continue to support Ukraine," Blinken said on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting.

He stressed that "no country will be allowed to redraw borders by force."

- Israel-Palestine conflict

Blinken also said that he will be focused, in the next days, on efforts "to extend the pause so that we continue to get more hostages out and more humanitarian assistance in (Gaza)."

"We'll keep our efforts going to prevent the conflict and spreading," Blinken added.

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday to extend an initial four-day humanitarian pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas for an additional two days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.