NATO, U.S. pledge Ukraine support and warn Russia not to ‘miscalculate’

NATO and U.S. leaders said they support Ukraine. And they said co-ordination between Russia, China and Iran is concerning — but the alliance stands ready.

NATO and the United States will continue to support Ukraine but are also warning Russia and other actors that the alliance stands ready to face global threats.

“The world has become more dangerous, but NATO has become stronger,” Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, flanked by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

At a press conference in Belgium, the two men promised that NATO would remain committed to protecting Ukraine and said the co-ordination between challengers to the military alliance is raising serious concerns.

Stoltenberg said he saw no imminent threat to the alliance but should one arise, NATO is prepared. He said recent training efforts demonstrate that “there should be no room for miscalculation in Moscow about NATO’s readiness and resolves to protect all allies.”

Sullivan vowed Washington will not abandon Kyiv – despite U.S. support drying up until Congress votes through another spending bill. That process is currently gridlocked, though Stoltenberg said it is “vital” the U.S. continues to support Ukraine.

A recent poll exclusive to Global News shows a plurality, not a majority, of Canadians want Ukraine to keep fighting as Russia’s invasion hits the two-year mark, though one-third now say they think Ukraine should seek a peace deal with Russia even if it means ceding territory.

“As allies, we’re committed not just to supporting Ukraine in the current fight, but also supporting Ukraine’s long-term deterrence capacity as it works towards becoming a NATO member,” Sullivan said.

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has been counting on dividing this alliance. But today (in meetings with other NATO security leaders) we heard again total unity … that has not flagged one bit since the beginning of this brutal invasion by Russia,” he said.