The risk of escalation by Russia pales in comparison to Putin’s possibility to win the war, NATO’s Secretary General said. This is how Jens Stoltenberg reacted to the fears of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
“I understand the concern that our support for Ukraine carries the risk of escalation, but that risk pales compared to allowing Putin to win this war. If Putin wins the war in Ukraine, he will most likely resort to violence again,” Stoltenberg said.
The NATO Secretary General’s statement came amid a debate in Germany over whether Berlin should supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. “The supply of weapons is a national matter. I welcome Germany’s decisive support for Ukraine,” Stoltenberg noted.
The NATO Secretary General also welcomed Germany’s decision to provide Ukraine with another Patriot system. “We can expect new Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy system. Air defense is crucial for saving Ukrainian lives,” Stoltenberg emphasized.
Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany has not yet decided on supplying long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine because it is trying to prevent the “escalation” of the war.
Cover: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/dpa
