NATO Chief Stoltenberg urges more arms support for Ukraine

"No option is without risk when you have such a neighbour as Russia," Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with German public TV station ARD, which aired on Saturday (27/04). He added that Ukraine, however, has the right to defence, and Western allies can and should support the attacked country.

Stoltenberg praised Germany for "setting a good example." It is "a European ally that provides the largest military support to Ukraine," he stated. The NATO Secretary General listed tanks, air defence systems, artillery, and ammunition as examples of assistance.

In the interview with ARD, Stoltenberg did not want to address Ukraine's persistent demands regarding the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles. Like before, the NATO chief does not intend to advise individual allies publicly.

Jens Stoltenberg is convinced that Ukraine, being defensive, will be able to repel the Russian attack. "We saw the bravery and courage of the Ukrainian armed forces," he said. At the beginning of the war, most experts expected the Russian invaders to defeat Ukraine within a few weeks. However, Ukrainians have regained a significant part of the territory that Russia temporarily occupied.

"What they now need is more help from our side – and then they will be able to maintain their territory," added Stoltenberg on ARD TV. He referred to the recent decision of the US to provide multi-billion-dollar aid.

"On Wednesday (24/04.) Washington also announced the delivery to Ukraine of short-range missiles type ATACMS with a range of up to around 300 kilometres. Previously, the US provided only ATACMS with a range of up to about 165 kilometres. The US decision increases pressure on Germany to supply the Ukrainian army with Taurus cruise missiles," reports the news agency AFP.

The Taurus have a range of over 500 kilometres. This means that these missiles could reach from Ukraine into Russian territory and destroy, for example, local weapon depots and command centers. The possibility of bombing Russian territory is one of the reasons why Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz (SPD) disagrees with their delivery. He also cites the need for German involvement in guiding cruise missiles, which would directly involve members of the Bundeswehr in the war. Proponents of the Taurus deliveries reject these arguments.