Ukraine Invasion: Putin underestimated global, NATO’s military support, says Jens Stoltenberg
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) says Russia’s President Vladimir Putin did not envisage the global support Ukraine has received since Kremlin invaded its smaller neighbour in February.
Mr Stoltenberg however reiterated NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
On Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made comments addressing the eight-month-long conflict to Reuters’ Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni on Reuters’ Next Newsmaker.
In response to a question about Russia’s military weaknesses in the course of the war, Mr Stoltenberg said Mr Putin undermined the military prowess of Ukraine and supporting global powers before its invasion.
“President Putin totally underestimated NATO and partners and the international community because he thought that we were not going to step up and provide as much support to Ukraine as we have and will continue to do. NATO and its allies are not a party to the conflict, but we support Ukraine to help them to uphold the right to self-defence,” Mr Stoltenberg said.
In a televised address, President Vladimir Putin said 300,000 reservists had been called up to fight in Ukraine and supported a plan to annex parts of the country, hinting at using nuclear weapons to defend Moscow.
World leaders meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York condemned the invasion of Ukraine and plans by four occupied regions to hold referendums on joining Russia.
On Tuesday, the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia moved to hold referendums in September. These provinces make up about 15 per cent of Ukraine’s territory.
Russia already considers Luhansk and Donetsk, which together make up the Donbas region that Moscow partially occupied in 2014, to be independent states.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
Africa
144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR
“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.
World
U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua
Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.
World
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister
Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.
