NATO Strengthens Support for Kyiv but Will Not Send Troops There, Stoltenberg

The NATO Secretary General has stated that the North Atlantic Alliance is preparing to play a larger role in coordinating security support for Ukraine. The alliance is enhancing its support for Ukraine but will not send troops to avoid becoming part of the "conflict." This was announced by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as reported by RIA Novosti, citing foreign media.

"While we are strengthening our support for Ukraine's self-defense, we do not plan to send NATO troops there or extend NATO's air defense umbrella over it. NATO will not become a part of the conflict," Stoltenberg said.

According to him, theoretically, Russian missiles could be intercepted from Polish or Romanian territory, for example, with the help of Patriot missile systems. Stoltenberg added that during a meeting in Prague, NATO foreign ministers will prepare for the summit in Washington, which will take place in mid-July. He clarified that this also concerns the "reinforcement of support for Ukraine."

"NATO is prepared to play a much larger role in coordinating security support for Ukraine," the Secretary General explained. He also noted that this would require "long-term financial commitments" to make that support "stronger and more predictably based."

Russia believes that the supply of weapons to Ukraine hinders regulation, directly involving NATO countries in the conflict and "playing with fire." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia. He asserted that the U.S. and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, not only by supplying weapons but also through training personnel in the territories of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and other countries. The Kremlin has stated that the West's supply of weapons to Ukraine does not contribute to negotiations and will have a negative impact on them.