On November 13, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Blinken stated that in the final months of his term, the Biden administration will provide assistance to Ukraine to help it withstand the Russian military and position itself favorably in future peace talks.
Blinken told reporters at NATO headquarters that the US will “continue to strengthen everything we do for Ukraine to ensure its ability to defend itself effectively against this Russian aggression.”
He emphasized that Biden will “use every day to continue what we have been doing in the past four years to strengthen this alliance.”
Blinken stressed that NATO countries must focus on “ensuring that Ukraine has the funds, ammunition, and mobilized forces to be able to effectively fight in 2025 or to be in a strong position for negotiating peace with Russia.”
He also mentioned that the US will “adapt and adjust” the latest equipment being sent, but did not disclose specific details.
Blinken warned that North Korea’s decision to send troops to fight alongside Russian forces “needs and will receive a resolute response,” but did not provide detailed information.
Intelligence assessments from the US, South Korea, and Ukraine indicate that up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops have been deployed to the battlefield, with most expected to be stationed in the Russian region of Kursk. Ukrainian forces have already seized a large swath of territory in that area.
Blinken stated that the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang is “two-way,” and expressed deep concerns about “what Russia is doing or might be doing to enhance North Korea’s military capabilities, including its nuclear capabilities.”
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said that “Russia has not won in Ukraine,” and that “clearly, we must do more to ensure that Ukraine can continue to fight and as much as possible contain Russia’s aggression, to prevent Putin from succeeding in Ukraine.”
Following the meeting with Stoltenberg, Blinken also met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Yermak in Brussels. Yermak stated that the war is at a critical moment and called for a strategy of “strength” rather than “appeasement” towards Russia.
He said, “Ukraine’s defense cannot be put on hold and wait… We need to accelerate all key decisions.”
Blinken will also meet with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, senior EU officials, and British Foreign Secretary David Rami.
(This article is based on reports from Reuters and the Associated Press)