Defense of allies and assistance to Ukraine are key to NATO security - Secretary General.

NATO Secretary General: strengthening the national defense of allied countries is crucial for Alliance security

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that strengthening national defense of allied countries and further increasing military support for Ukraine is not always an easy task for national governments, but these two directions are crucial for NATO security.

At a press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Rutte said, 'As a former prime minister, I know that it is not always easy for governments to allocate funds to national defense and support for Ukraine. But both directions are crucial for our collective security' - emphasized the Alliance chief.

Rutte highlighted that during the meeting with the German Chancellor, he discussed support for Ukraine. Germany is the largest European provider of military support, which saves Ukrainian lives on the battlefield every day.

In addition, Germany is hosting the new NATO support and training Command for Ukraine in Wiesbaden. The establishment of such a command is just part of the decisions taken at the Alliance summit in Washington, which adopted a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine, including contributions to long-term Ukrainian security and its support, as Rutte said, 'on the irreversible path of Euro-Atlantic integration'.

If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there. Russia is already conducting an intensified campaign of hybrid attacks on the territories of our allies, directly interfering in our democracies, sabotaging industry, and resorting to violence. All this is aimed at weakening us and sowing division. This shows that shifting the front line in this war is no longer just a matter of Ukraine. The front line is moving beyond borders - in the Baltic region, in Western Europe, and even in high latitudes in the north. NATO is ready to restrain and defend against such threats' - emphasized the Alliance Secretary General.

He reminded that allies are actively investing in the development of operational capabilities in all domains: on land, at sea, in the air, in space, and in cyberspace. Germany sets the tone in this work, increasing defense production and accelerating the implementation of innovation, which is crucial for both European security and the continued support for Ukraine.

The NATO chief gave an example: currently, German and American partner companies at facilities in Bavaria are, with Alliance support, fulfilling an order for the production of 1000 missiles for Patriot air defense systems. This is the essence of transatlantic partnership - delivering new defense capabilities for allied countries and creating new jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.