Stoltenberg: Navajo is well honoured if Russia is defeated in Ukraine

Secretary - General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, says the death of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, as well as Russia's first benefits on the battlefield after many months, should help the military alliance and its allies pay attention to the urgent need to support Ukraine.

During an interview with Radio Free Europe (REL) on February 20th in Brussels, chief NATO said the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the city of Avravka after many months of fighting proves the need for more military aid “to ensure that Russia does not earn more territory”.

Navalny's death at a prison in the Arctic on Friday, February 16th under suspicious circumstances increases the need to ensure that the authoritarian rule of Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, does not go unnoticed.

“I strongly believe that the best way to honour the memory of Alexei Navalnyt is to make sure President Putin doesn't win on the battlefield, but that Ukraine triumphs”, Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine's allies have worked for a $61 billion package of US military assistance, Stoltenberg said, but as long as this package is stuck in the House of Representatives, other countries, including Sweden, Canada, and Japan, have increased support for Ukraine.

Sweden's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday it will provide Ukraine military assistance worth about $680m, including delivery of equipment and cash ready for weapons purchase.

This will be the 15th time Sweden sends aid to Ukraine and the largest aid package to date, raising to about $2.8 billion the total aid it has given her since Russia began its invasion in 2022.

Canada's Department of Defence said on February 19th that it will quickly send Ukraine more than 800 fears, adding that the drones have become critical weapons for Ukraine in the war. They cost about $70 million and will be sent by the beginning of spring.

Tokyo will help Ukraine rebuild its damage to war by granting $106 million.

“Of course we have our attention to the United States, but we're also seeing how other allies are providing great support to Ukraine”, Stoltenberg said.

Asked when they will be able to use F-16 Ukraine warplanes, Stoltenberg said he cannot say now.

He reiterated that all Ukrainian allies want fighter planes to be in her hands as soon as possible, but added that their influence would be stronger if pilots are well trained and that their crew and support personnel are well prepared.

So I think we should listen to military experts when exactly we'll be ready, or when the Allies will be willing to start sending the Ukraine F-16” planes, he added.

“The earlier, the better”, he stressed.

Ukraine has repeatedly sought F-16 aircraft, produced by the United States, to fight Russian superiority in the air. The United States granted permission in August to Denmark and the Netherlands to send F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine once Ukrainian pilots finish training.