In a series of meetings on Monday with top US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and advisors to President Joe Biden, Stoltenberg emphasized the strategic importance of backing Ukraine to counter potential global threats.
Speaking after his meeting with Blinken, Stoltenberg warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden nations such as Iran, North Korea and China.
Stoltenberg highlighted the significant impact of US support in diminishing Russia's combat capability, stating: “For a tiny fraction of annual defense spending, the United States has helped Ukraine destroy a major part of Russia’s combat capacity without placing a single American soldier in harm’s way.”
The NATO chief announced his intention to engage with representatives from both US political parties to discuss a stalled package of further support for Ukraine in Congress.
Blinken commended the collective efforts of NATO and European countries, saying that "the support that the United States has provided to Ukraine has been exceptional, about $75 billion over the last couple of years. But our partners and allies, notably our core NATO Allies, have provided more than $110 billion over that same period of time."
Additionally, discussions during Stoltenberg's visit included preparations for a NATO summit in Washington in July, marking the alliance's 75th anniversary. The summit is expected to be a pivotal moment for addressing shared security concerns and shaping the future of transatlantic cooperation.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, state.gov
