Stoltenberg: ‘So, let me be clear. Self-defence is not escalation. Self-defence is a fundamental right. And we have the right to help Ukraine uphold its right to self-defence. Russia is the one attacking. Russia is the one escalating.’
by marketrent
17 comments
[NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg, May 31, 2024](https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_226063.htm):
“Let me add this on Allied support and the question of escalation.
“Russia started this war. They annexed Crimea in 2014. And in 2022, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War 2.
“Russia is striking hospitals, schools, and shopping malls. Russia is bombing power and water infrastructure. Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians.
“Ukraine is defending itself from appalling Russian brutality.
“So, let me be clear. Self-defence is not escalation. Self-defence is a fundamental right. It is enshrined in the UN Charter. Ukraine has the right, and the responsibility, to protect its people.
“And we have the right to help Ukraine uphold its right to self-defence.
“Of course, Russia does not like this. At every stage of this war Russia has complained, threatened and sabre-rattled.
“Putin wanted to deter NATO Allies from supporting Ukraine. But we are not and we will not be deterred.
“Russia is the one attacking. Russia is the one escalating. Most recently by opening a new front in the Kharkiv region. And with waves of new strikes on Ukrainian citizens.
“As the war has evolved, our support has evolved. And it will continue to evolve.”
Nato superstar, amen 🙏 to that!
Heh, this was a hard watch. He sounded like his voice was going to break at any given minute. Stoltenberg is a good man. He will be hard to replace. Slava Ukrainii!!!
The more I see of this guy, the more I like him. I’ve said similar things to this in response to concerns about “mission creep.” It’s never mission creep to defend your own land or people. People are scared to think like that because it opens the possibility of failure by objective metrics: what if you can’t defend all of your land or people? Doesn’t matter. It’s not mission creep. It is the ultimate mission of any nation’s military. It’s fundamentally what makes a military more than an armed mob.
And ru is using nk munitions in Ukraine. Tit for tat. Ukraine just has more allies
Great NATO leader this guy. Trying to pull the waffling coward leaders along and educate everyone else at the same time
Amazing
Whoever replaces Stoltenberg as secretary general of NATO will have big shoes to fill.
I applaud this very clear and articulate statement which completely encapsulates the situation. Thank you.
**Russia is the one attacking. Russia is the one escalating.**
We in the West should never forget this…..
So obviously right. What on earth is wrong with the people who don’t understand this.
Stoltenberg is the only one who can and may speak for the whole of NATO.
Countries like Germany should understand that when they always talk about avoiding a major war against NATO.
If Stoltenberg says it’s OK to provide help, then the others should keep their mouths shut.
Cool and all but Ukraine needs “escalation” to be able to win this war, we need the west to stop being afraid of this stupid word and help us kick them out for good but with the rate we receive ammo and weapons we can barely hold the front line and it’s fucking sad, it could have been over a year ago if the west had leaders with the balls of Reagan
Man Jens is saying what europe thinks!
Yet we are constantly, and still, holding the Ukrainians back from true self-defence. Being unable to strike at any and all Russian military targets on Russian soil.
In war, whatever your enemy bitches about as unfair is exactly what you should be doubling down on.
Its crazy how a little honesty and objectivity shines through all the shit in modern politics.