Guest
Joint press conference by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg and the US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, 29 January 2024. 🗣 | NATO Secretary General: Thanks so much, Secretary Blinken, dear Tony, Thank you for hosting me here in Washington. It is always good to meet with you. And even more important given the dangers we face. So let me begin by offering my deepest condolences for the US troops killed and wounded in yesterday’s drone attack in Jordan. We see Iran continue to destabilise the region. Iran also bears responsibility for backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea. Tehran’s behaviour reminds us of what a world without rules looks like: Unpredictable and dangerous. A world where our security becomes more expensive. I welcome your tireless diplomacy, Secretary Blinken, to prevent further escalation of the war in Gaza. Your efforts to alleviate human suffering. And your hard work toward a peaceful resolution. Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is nearing the two-year mark. And a Russian victory would embolden Iran, North Korea and China. That matters for Europe’s security. And it matters for America’s security. So supporting Ukraine serves U.S. interests. For a tiny fraction of annual defence spending, the United States has helped Ukraine destroy a major part of Russia’s combat capacity. Without placing a single American soldier in harm’s way. I welcome the clear commitment from President Biden and you. To sustain U.S. support to Ukraine. And to work with Congress to achieve that. As you said, other Allies are also stepping up. In fact, what European NATO Allies and Canada provide – in terms of military, financial, and humanitarian aid – actually exceeds what the U.S. is providing. So truly joint effort from both sides of the Atlantic. And I am confident that all NATO Allies will continue to deliver. Because supporting Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in our own security. President Putin started this war, and he could end it today – if he stopped attacking a neighbour. The war could also end if Ukraine stopped defending itself, But that would not mean peace. It would mean Russian occupation. And occupation is not peace. A just peace will require President Putin to realise that he will not get what he wants on the battlefield. Moscow must accept a negotiated solution where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation. What happens around the negotiating table is inextricably linked to the situation on the battlefield. So if we want a lasting, just peace, we must provide Ukraine with more weapons and ammunition. Weapons to Ukraine is the path to peace. Finally, we also discussed adapting our Alliance for the future. In July, we will mark NATO’s 75th anniversary with a Summit here in Washington. And as you said, NATO is getting stronger and bigger. Finland is already a member, Sweden will become a member soon. And this demonstrates that Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he wanted. He wanted less NATO, a weaker NATO. He’s getting a stronger NATO and a more united NATO and a NATO with more members. At the Summit, we will take further steps to bolster NATO’s strength. Invest more in our defence. And work with partners around the world. Through NATO, the U.S. has more friends and allies than any other power. Together, we make up 50 percent of the world’s economic and military might. China and Russia have nothing like NATO. It is why they always try to undermine our unity. In times of growing competition and rivalry. NATO makes the U.S. stronger and safer. And all of us more secure. Secretary Blinken, dear Tony, Thank you again for your personal commitment to our transatlantic bond and to our shared security. Thank you. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ SUBSCRIBE to this channel SUBSCRIBE to NATO News SUBSCRIBE to NATO History Connect with NATO online: Visit the Official NATO Homepage: Receive NATO updates via email: Find NATO on FACEBOOK: Follow @NATO on TWITTER: Follow NATO on Instagram: Find NATO on LinkedIn: Find NATO on Flickr: #NATO #OTAN
