NATO will continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to return the territories occupied by Russia.

NATO General Jens Stoltenberg notes that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats will not stop the Alliance from supporting Ukraine in the liberation of its territories.

According to an UNIAN correspondent, Stoltenberg said this at a press conference in Brussels.

“Of course, Ukraine has the right to return its territory, which is now occupied by Russian forces. This is the reason why we support them (Ukrainians – UNIAN). Therefore, so that they can defend themselves, but also continue to liberate the territory,” the Secretary General stressed.

He noted that Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Ukrainian territory does not change this goal.

“Because if we accept Russia’s annexation and nuclear saber-rattling, which actually deterred us from supporting Ukraine, then we accept nuclear blackmail. Then we agree that by threatening to use nuclear weapons, authoritarian countries like Russia can achieve that “What they want is to gain control over neighboring Ukraine. And then distract us from supporting Ukraine in its absolute sovereign right to defend itself against an aggressor, which is actually enshrined in the UN Charter,” Stoltenberg said.

He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and reckless.

“Of course, NATO is vigilant. We are closely monitoring what Russia is doing. Russia must understand that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be resolved, and it will have serious consequences for Russia if it uses nuclear weapons. And this was very clearly communicated to Russia,” Stoltenberg said.

“Therefore, we will continue to support Ukraine, and we will continue to support their efforts to liberate even more territory, because they (Ukrainians) have the right to do so,” the Secretary General of the Alliance emphasized.

(C)UNIAN 2022