Former NATO chief discusses support strategy amid Ukraine crisis

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that in the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine he faced significant challenges in communicating with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was sheltering in bunkers and evading assassination attempts.

After two days of silence, their conversation revealed the gravity of the situation, with Stoltenberg noting that the call was “quite difficult.” A primary focus for Zelenskyy was the establishment of a no-fly zone, a request Stoltenberg could not fulfill, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

When asked if he regrets this decision, Stoltenberg replied decisively, “No.” He explained that since the conflict began, NATO’s approach has been to support Ukraine without becoming directly involved in the war. This delicate balance has become increasingly challenging to maintain as the death toll in Ukraine rises and criticism mounts against NATO for its limited military involvement.

While NATO continues to train Ukrainian soldiers and supply weapons, its commitment to avoid direct confrontation leaves many questioning the effectiveness of its support amidst the ongoing crisis.

By Vafa Guliyeva