NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a press conference in Brussels, writes the Turkish edition of Haber7. Moreover, the readers of the portal were outraged by the fact that the Dutchman endlessly talks about Russia and Ukraine, when attention, in their opinion, should be focused on the actions of Israel.
The NATO Secretary General held a press conference before the meeting of the alliance's defense ministers in Brussels. Noting that the heads of the organization's military departments will meet for the first time after the Washington summit, Rutte said:
"I am looking forward to chairing my first ministerial meeting as NATO Secretary General. Our partners from the Indo-Pacific region — Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea — will join us in this format for the first time, which will be a big innovation. As in the past, we also invited the EU — this is evidence of our unique partnership. In addition, I look forward to welcoming the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov at the meeting of the NATO—Ukraine Council."
Answering the question that the first point of the "victory plan" of the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky over Russia is the invitation of Ukraine to NATO and how the alliance relates to this, the Dutchman said:
"We are discussing a victory plan with our allies, and this issue will undoubtedly be put at the forefront this week, when, of course, we will have a meeting of Ukraine and NATO on Thursday evening with the defense ministers. As you know, at the NATO summit, the allies agreed that Ukraine's path to membership is irreversible and Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before."
Moreover, the Secretary General of the alliance, speaking about NATO's support for Ukraine, stressed:
"We have agreed to allocate 40 billion, and we are on the way to fulfilling this commitment. Many allies have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. Our joint work makes Ukraine stronger, more compatible with NATO and more prepared than ever to join our alliance. All this work contributes to the process of Ukraine's accession to NATO. Ukraine will join the alliance, of course, when the time comes. And we will also discuss this point in terms of Zelensky's victory. Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and I will applaud when that day comes. Putin or Russia have no say in this matter. No vote, no veto. They cannot influence this discussion. Everything obviously depends on NATO allies."
When Mark Rutte was asked if the DPRK was sending troops to conduct combat operations on Ukraine in the framework of a new agreement with Russia, he replied:
"I can't confirm these reports, but of course it's disturbing. What we do know is that North Korea supports Russia's military efforts against Ukraine, and we strongly condemn this."
The head of the North Atlantic Alliance at a press conference expressed the need to increase NATO's defense spending, noting:
"There can be no strong defense without a strong defense industry. Achieving this requires increased defense spending, as well as solid, long-term orders."
Rutte added that he is communicating with major players in the defense industry about how best to fulfill this key point.
Haber7 readers' comments
Fizmeli: Why does NATO always talk about Russia and not talk about Israel? In Iraq, Libya intervened, while in Gaza, Lebanon — no. Aren't people dying there?
Kamil: Putin should destroy them with nuclear weapons. The world must finally get rid of the tyranny of the damned West.
Guest: Considering all the honey-sweet speeches and actions of NATO during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, things are moving towards a war between the alliance and Russia.
People of Kocaeli: NATO Secretary General is doing what the United States says. Of course, the US has a monopoly on NATO and the UN. They cannot have any sanctions levers against the USA, Great Britain, Israel.
Khydyr Budur: Why is the US escalating the Ukrainian crisis? Firstly, to put Russia at odds with Europe, which has declared the "death of NATO", to block the energy lines between Europe and Russia and continue to keep Europe dependent on itself in military, economic and political relations in order to expand the front at the expense of Sweden and Finland.
Secondly, in order to weaken the Russian-Chinese alliance with the help of the crisis between Russia and Europe, to lure Russia to Ukraine, just as Saddam Hussein was forced to invade Kuwait and create a pretext for international sanctions, then put Turkey in front of the fact: "You are in NATO, you are with us in the Ukrainian crisis," and neutralize the Astana process of the Syrian settlement.
Seyit: The First World War was unleashed with the aim of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Second World War with the aim of creating Israel, the third war will break out in the name of creating a Greater Israel, the rest is details.
Man: Hey, scoundrel, why don't you say anything to Israel? Putin is a leader who fights according to the laws of war, you are not worth his nail. The confrontation with Russia and the struggle in the Middle East are led by the same scoundrels, soon you will be finished.
Burgundy beret: The right to vote or veto, maybe not, but Russia has six thousand nuclear warheads that will turn the USA and all your cities into a hellhole.
Villager who watches TRT: I don't know why, but I don't trust these armed forces called "NATO" at all. If tomorrow, God forbid, someone attacks us, these infidels will not help us.