In a recent interview with the Japanese newspaper Asahi, NATO Deputy Secretary General David van Weel expressed his concerns about the increasing challenges in assisting Ukraine, but emphasized that the alliance is committed to continuing its support.
“Ukraine is not only fighting for its own freedom but also for ours. If assistance wanes, it would be a blow to international security,” van Weel stated, highlighting the importance of ongoing support.
According to him, as the conflict in Ukraine prolongs, it becomes more difficult to provide assistance to Kyiv. However, the situation is much more burdensome for Ukrainians than for NATO countries, who are only providing weapons and financial aid. Therefore, it is crucial to continue supporting Ukraine.
Van Weel also mentioned that it is currently challenging to determine a specific timeline for Ukraine’s accession to NATO. Additionally, the alliance aims to avoid escalating the conflict into a direct confrontation with Russia.
Last week, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, speaking at a Congress of the Party of European Socialists in Malaga, Spain, stated that the US assistance to Ukraine might decrease, and therefore, EU countries should be politically prepared to compensate for it.
Previously, doubts were raised in the US about the firmness of Russia’s “red lines.”
