Rasmussen: "NATO members may send troops to Ukraine"

Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that some NATO members may agree to the introduction of their troops into Ukrainian territory as part of a discussion about future security guarantees for Ukraine.

The Guardian notesthat, according to the ex-secretary general, if the alliance cannot decide on steps for Ukraine’s membership or its security guarantees at the summit in Vilnius, “there is a clear possibility that some countries can take action individually.” The publication quotes Rasmussen:

“If NATO cannot agree on a clear path forward for Ukraine, there is a clear possibility that some countries may take action on a case-by-case basis. We know that Poland is actively engaged in providing concrete assistance to Ukraine. And I would not rule out that in this context, Poland will act even stronger at the national level, followed by the Baltic countries, possibly including the possibility of sending troops to the ground. I think the Poles will seriously consider getting in and putting together a coalition of the willing if Ukraine doesn’t get anything in Vilnius. We must not underestimate the feelings of the Poles, the Poles feel that Western Europe has not heeded their warnings against a truly Russian mentality for too long.”

According to the former secretary general of the alliance, it would be quite legal for Ukraine to seek such military assistance. It is worth noting that Rasmussen is one of the developers of the project of security guarantees for Ukraine, known as the “Kyiv Security Compact”.

NATO officials have repeatedly rejected the possibility of bringing their own troops into Ukraine, arguing that this would lay the foundation for a direct confrontation between NATO and the Russian Federation. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said on the eve that security guarantees for Ukraine before its entry into NATO should be fixed in writing, and the Vilnius summit of the alliance is a “good platform” for their conclusion.

The former NATO Secretary General admits that some states may consider the stakes important enough to use their own troops, which could be seen as a warning to countries that risks, including a threat to NATO unity, will arise not only if Ukraine is provided a fast track to NATO. membership or strong security guarantees. Germany remains wary of going too far for fear that it will provoke Russia.

Rasmussen said it was critical that Ukraine receive written security guarantees, preferably before the summit, but outside of NATO. These should cover intelligence sharing, joint training with Ukraine, increased munitions production, NATO compatibility, and the supply of weapons sufficient to deter Russia from further attack.

Source link