"Occupation is not peace": Stoltenberg told how NATO want to influence Putin

According to the former NATO Secretary General, there was no understanding before the full -scale invasion of how urgent military and financial assistance to Ukraine should be. Then the restrained approach was considered the best possible decision. The former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine should stand as an independent country and that it could influence Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision. He told about it in an interview with Spiegel.

Prior to the start of a full -scale invasion of military assistance, Ukraine was considered a red line. Weapons were not given by all allied countries. "Now, looking back, it is already clear that it was not enough," Stoltenberg said. "Today we all have to admit it. We all thought that the so -called restrained approach would be the best solution.

There was a lack of understanding how urgent was Being military assistance and money to build a powerful Ukrainian army that would prevent the Russian invasion. Today's Red Line - Attacks for purposes in the depths of Russian territory in Western weapons. According to Stoltenberg, there are various considerations on this, important consultations and discussions among allies.

"It is important to remember that it is a brutal war and a frank violation of international law, an attempt to establish control of Ukraine. Therefore, Ukraine has the right to self -defense, including strikes for legitimate purposes in the Russian territory. It is not necessary to be deceived and to go on Russia and it Threats. Stoltenberg, despite the calls for the strengthening of NATO, also spoke about the need for dialogue with Putin.

But in an interview with German journalists, he noted that only Ukraine can decide when a good opportunity for any dialogue or even peace talks. "We all want this war to end. But the end of the war will not necessarily lead to peace. Occupation is not peace. The challenge is to complete the war so that Ukraine survives as a sovereign and independent country. The only way to achieve such an agreement - To convince Putin that he will not have the illusions about this. ", - explained Stoltenberg.