Eastern European NATO Countries Alarmed by Regional Instability, Stoltenberg Reiterates Alliance’s Defense Readiness
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Eastern European NATO countries voiced their apprehension on Tuesday, highlighting the potential for increased regional instability as Russian mercenary troops from the Wagner Group are relocated to Belarus.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg assured the alliance is prepared to protect itself against any perceived threat.
Serious Concerns Expressed by NATO Allies
Following a meeting in The Hague with Stoltenberg and leaders from six other NATO member states, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed grave concerns about the deployment of Wagner’s notorious fighters in Belarus.
He warned that such a move could pose an even greater danger to neighboring countries, emphasizing the need for strong and decisive action from NATO.
Polish President Andrzej Duda also echoed these sentiments, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
The arrival of Wagner Boss in Belarus
On Tuesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, arrived in Belarus under an agreement brokered by President Alexander Lukashenko.
This agreement marked the resolution of the mercenaries’ mutiny in Russia on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Wagner fighters would be allowed to relocate to Belarus.
NATO’s Response and Commitment to Defense
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicated it was premature to assess the implications of Wagner’s presence in Belarus for NATO allies.
However, he stressed that the alliance had strengthened its defense capabilities along the eastern flank in recent years and is ready to safeguard every member state.
Stoltenberg assured, “We have conveyed a clear message to Moscow and Minsk that NATO is fully committed to protecting every ally and every inch of NATO territory.”
He added that NATO had already bolstered its military presence in the eastern part of the alliance, and further decisions to enhance collective defense with additional high-readiness forces and capabilities would be made at the upcoming summit.
Deepening Divisions and Support for Ukraine
Regarding the mutiny within the Wagner Group, Stoltenberg remarked that it exposed the escalating divisions caused by Putin’s “illegal war” against Ukraine within Russia.
He emphasized the importance of not underestimating Russia and the need to continue supporting Ukraine.
Call for Discussion at NATO Summit
President Duda of Poland expressed his hope that the threat posed by the Wagner forces would be discussed during the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, scheduled for July 11-12.
As tensions rise with the movement of Wagner troops to Belarus, NATO remains steadfast in its commitment to the defense of its member states and the region’s stability.
The upcoming summit presents an opportunity for NATO allies to address this growing concern and devise appropriate strategies to mitigate potential risks.
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