NATO Secretary General Stresses U.S. Support for Ukraine as Vital to Global Security

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Washington, D.C., has been marked by discussions regarding continued support for Ukraine and preparations for NATO's upcoming 75th-anniversary summit. Stoltenberg met with key U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, among others.

During a joint press conference with Secretary Blinken, Stoltenberg applauded the commitment of President Biden and Secretary Blinken to sustaining U.S. support for Ukraine. He emphasized that aiding Ukraine is not merely an act of charity but an investment in the security of NATO member countries. Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of assisting Ukraine in defending itself against Russia's aggressive actions, as a Russian victory would embolden other nations like Iran, North Korea, and China, posing risks to both European and American security interests.

Stoltenberg further emphasized the significance of U.S. support to Ukraine, noting that a relatively small fraction of annual defense spending has enabled Ukraine to significantly degrade Russia's combat capacity without placing American soldiers in harm's way. This underscores the cost-effectiveness of aiding Ukraine in its efforts to deter Russian aggression.

In addition to discussions about Ukraine, Stoltenberg looked ahead to NATO's 75th-anniversary summit in Washington, where allies plan to take further steps to strengthen the alliance. These steps include increased defense spending, with European allies and Canada committing an additional $450 billion for defense.

As part of his visit to the United States, Stoltenberg also visited the Missiles and Fire Control Facility of Lockheed Martin in Troy, Alabama. He concluded his trip with a visit to the headquarters of the U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida.

Overall, Stoltenberg's visit reaffirmed the strong transatlantic partnership between the United States and NATO, emphasizing the importance of continued support for Ukraine and the alliance's commitment to collective security.