Stoltenberg Reaffirms the Alliance’s Support for Ukraine

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has affirmed that the Alliance welcomes the news that Ukrainian forces are to be pulled out of war-torn hotspots. The move encompasses an agreement, according to which the militaries of both sides (Ukrainian National Guard and the occupational/separatist militias) should retreat from the Donbas and Lugansk regions.       

"We welcome all efforts to reduce tensions," Stoltenberg said during a visit to the Ukrainian port city of Odessa on October 30, adding that "There is a long way to go because there are still cease-fire violations."

"NATO states very clearly that Russia has a special responsibility to... withdraw all its troops and officers from eastern Ukraine and stop destabilizing eastern Ukraine,” he added.

"The visit today sends a clear message that NATO stands in solidarity with Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

Moscow has strongly opposed Ukraine's pro-Western path.

As a reminder, on October 1, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Army from villages in Donbas, specifically Petrivske and Zolote. The decision has been criticized by a large portion of the Ukrainian populace, as they perceive this action as capitulation from the Ukrainian administration.

By Beka Alexishvili