In an interview with Reuters, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg made clear that he disagreed with Pope Francis’s comments that Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” saying that it would be “a tragedy for the Ukrainians” if they were to surrender.
Stoltenberg was asked about the pope’s remarks, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said: “If we want a negotiated peaceful lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine.”
“What happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield”.
Asked if his reaction meant that now was not the time to talk about a white flag, Stoltenberg said: “It’s not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us,” he stressed.
Stoltenberg also distanced himself from French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration a few days ago that Western allies should not rule out deploying their troops in Ukraine.
“NATO has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, NATO is not a party to the conflict,” he emphasized.
“What happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield”.
Asked if his reaction meant that now was not the time to talk about a white flag, Stoltenberg said: “It’s not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us,” he stressed.
Stoltenberg also distanced himself from French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration a few days ago that Western allies should not rule out deploying their troops in Ukraine.
“NATO has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, NATO is not a party to the conflict,” he emphasized.
Stoltenberg was asked about the pope’s remarks, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said: “If we want a negotiated peaceful lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine.”
“What happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield”.
Asked if his reaction meant that now was not the time to talk about a white flag, Stoltenberg said: “It’s not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us,” he stressed.
Stoltenberg also distanced himself from French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration a few days ago that Western allies should not rule out deploying their troops in Ukraine.
“NATO has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, NATO is not a party to the conflict,” he emphasized.
“What happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield”.
Asked if his reaction meant that now was not the time to talk about a white flag, Stoltenberg said: “It’s not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. That will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us,” he stressed.
Stoltenberg also distanced himself from French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration a few days ago that Western allies should not rule out deploying their troops in Ukraine.
“NATO has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, NATO is not a party to the conflict,” he emphasized.
Source: Reuters, PAP
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