Stoltenberg Questions Putin's Statements

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed doubts about Vladimir Putin's assertions that strikes deep inside Russia using Western weaponry could become a "red line," after which the alliance would find itself in a state of war with the Russian Federation. Stoltenberg dismissed the claim as false, along with many other threats made by the Russian president.

He reminded that Putin has previously spoken of "red lines," yet there has been no response from Moscow after they were crossed. "He has not dared to do it because he understands that NATO is the strongest military alliance in the world. Moreover, Russia understands that it cannot win a nuclear war, and participating in one is unacceptable. We have communicated this to Putin multiple times," Stoltenberg emphasized in an interview with The Times.

The NATO chief noted that Putin is now trying to unite authoritarian states such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea around the war in Ukraine, but Moscow is increasingly becoming dependent on Beijing. He added that China plays a leading role in this coalition and is also Kremlin’s main supporter.

Stoltenberg stated that it is China that is actively supporting Russia's military economy, including supplying microelectronics and microprocessors used in the production of missiles and bombs deployed in Ukraine.

He added that in exchange for assistance from China, Russia is transferring its technologies, although he did not specify which technologies were being discussed.

The Secretary General also defended the positions of the UK and France, which advocate for the legitimacy of strikes inside Russia with Western weaponry. "It is wrong to say that NATO allies would become a party to the conflict if they allow the use of weapons against legitimate targets inside Russia. North Korea and Iran are providing significant military support and supplying missiles and drones to Russia without becoming direct parties to the conflict," he clarified.

On September 12, Putin announced that attacks on Russian territory with Western long-range weapons would mean war against NATO and the US. Sources familiar with The Times suggest that Washington does not intend to allow Ukraine to use American ATACMS missiles for such strikes. At the same time, it is expected that at the UN General Assembly scheduled for September 22-23 in New York, the US will agree to the use of British long-range missiles for strikes deep inside the Russian Federation.