JAKARTA - Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg said Western-backed Ukraine was making progress in its offensive to push Russia back from its occupied territories when it met US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.
"Ukraine is making progress, making progress," he said in the Oval Room of the White House, as reported by The National News on June 14, which came to visit ahead of the July NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Ukraine itself is optimistic about their long-prepared counterattacks across fronts in the east and south, eventually expelling Russian troops from across the country.
Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine's retaliatory attacks are important as a way to gain the influence of negotiations.
"The more areas Ukraine can free, the stronger their hands on the negotiating table," Stoltenberg said.
Today, I sat down with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the White House to discuss the upcoming NATO Summit and how we will continue to strengthen our Alliance. pic.twitter.com/IdmKHi0Lhx
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 13, 2023
Today, I sat down with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the White House to discuss the upcoming NATO Summit and how we will continue to arrest our Alliance. pic.twitter.com/IdmK0Lhx
Meanwhile, President Biden welcomed Stoltenberg, who will end his term of office next October, saying NATO's reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the alliance stronger.
"We have strengthened NATO's eastern wing, making it clear that we will defend every inch of NATO territory. I say again: the United States' commitment to Article V NATO is very strong," Biden said, referring to a pledge by members to defend each other.
"At our summit in Lithuania next month, we will build that momentum," President Biden said.
Earlier, Stoltenberg told CNN that it was "early" to assess the attack, which he called "difficult".
Great meeting w/ @POTUS to prepare the #NATOSummit. I thanked him for his leadership & US commitment, including on support to #Ukraine. In Vilnius, we will step up support for Ukraine and further strengthen our deterrence & defence, including with a new defence investment pledge. pic.twitter.com/aqiR0TLSAP
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 13, 2023
Great meeting w/@POTUS to prepare the #NATOSummmit. I thank him for his leadership & US commitment, including on support to #Ukraine. In Vilnius, we will step up support for Ukraine and further arrest our determination & defense, including with a new defense investment understanding. pic.twitter.com/aqiR0TLSAP
Stoltenberg said Ukraine "has the right... to free up their own lands."
However, he also characterized Western's decision to support Ukraine as part of a broader strategy, to maintain stability around the world.
"Russian brutal invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack on Ukraine, but also on our core values, and on free people everywhere. Therefore, President Putin must not win this war. Therefore it will not only be a tragedy for Ukraine, but will also make the world more dangerous," he explained.
"This will send a message to authoritarian leaders around the world, as well as in China, that when they use military force, they get what they want," he stressed.
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