Stoltenberg: Putin now has more Nato on his borders

Davos, Switzerland, May 24 (EFE).- Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had backfired on president Vladimir Putin’s plans to keep the Alliance away from his border.

“Last December, President Putin presented an ultimatum to Nato. He demanded a legally binding treaty,” Stoltenberg told the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Putin wanted “to force Nato to withdraw from the eastern part of our Alliance and to end Nato enlargement,” he said.

“He wanted less Nato on his borders. And launched a war. Now he is getting more Nato on his borders. And more members,” he added.

“Finland and Sweden’s decision to apply for Nato membership is historic. It demonstrates that European security will not be dictated by violence and intimidation.

“The on-field developments have fallen behind Russia’s schedule as its troops failed to seize Kyiv or topple the government,” he added.

“President Putin’s war on Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe. It is really a game-changer. Not just for European security, but for the global order,” he continued.

To tackle the situation, he said Nato has two main missions: “providing support to Ukraine and preventing the war from escalating.” EFE

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