NATO chief: Membership for Finland, Sweden will prove that “aggression does not pay off”
BERLIN – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that Finland’s and Sweden’s membership will prove that “aggression does not pay off” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Their membership would increase our shared security, show that NATO’s door is open and that aggression does not pay off,” Stoltenberg told reporters at an alliance meeting in Berlin.
He expresses confidence in resolving Turkey’s concerns about expected membership offers from Sweden and Finland.
“I am convinced that we will be able to find a common ground, consensus on how to proceed in membership issues,” said Stoltenberg, adding that he was in contact with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
At the same time, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says that NATO countries are ready to provide military assistance to Ukraine to help the country repel Russia’s invasion for as long as necessary.
“We agree that we must not and will not let go of our national efforts, especially in terms of military support, as long as Ukraine needs this support for its country’s self-defense,” Baerbock said at the NATO summit.