NATO, US reiterate strong commitment to support for Ukraine

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - NATO and the US reiterated their strong commitments to support Ukraine on Wednesday.

“Today, Allies reiterated their support for Ukraine. This is not charity. It is in our own security interest,” NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference in Brussels with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan following a meeting of national security advisors from countries from the alliance.

Arguing that a possible Russian victory would embolden not only Moscow but also China, Iran and North Korea, he announced the ongoing war in Ukraine is of utmost importance for the security of the US and Europe.

“By spending a fraction of our military budgets, we have helped Ukraine to destroy a substantial part of Russia’s combat capacity. Our support is also an example of true transatlantic burden sharing, where both Europe and North America are making critical contributions to preserve Ukraine’s freedom,” added Stoltenberg.

He emphasized a continuation of the US support for Ukraine, which presently seems to have stalled in the American Congress.

“The debate continues in Washington on funding for a number of important priorities. It is vital that the US agrees on continued support for Ukraine in the near future,” he said.

Also asserting that China poses challenges for NATO, he said the alliance is working more closely with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea in the Pacific Rim to counter those challenges.

“And Russia's increasing cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea raises serious concerns,” Stoltenberg remarked.

He also emphasized the continuation of the US support for Ukraine, which presently seems to have stalled in the US Congress.