As talks aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine continue, NATO has been represented by Dhabi by senior officials, including the alliance’s top military commander, Alexus Grynkewich.
Grynkewich is attending in his capacity as Commander of US European Command, “to provide advice for US leaders as they further President Trump’s efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end”, NATO officials say.
Euronews NATO correspondent Shona Murray spoke to Deputy Supreme Allied Commander John Stringer at NATO headquarters. He said he “hoped” Russia was entering the talks in good faith, but pointed out there was little evidence President Vladimir Putin had moved away from his maximalist demands.
Stringer said Ukraine’s objectives in securing a ceasefire were “paramount” for NATO.
“Let’s see how serious Russia is here,” he told Europe Today.
“Let’s hope it’s not just, frankly, a restatement of demands that, as I said, go back to 2022,” he added, referring to Moscow’s original war aims, including the annexation of Ukrainian territory.
Asked about concerns that Ukraine could be pressured into accepting changes to its borders, including relinquishing control over parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Stringer said Ukraine alone had the right to determine the future of its sovereign territory.
“In terms of territory, it’s absolutely one for the Ukrainians,” he said.
Stringer also praised successful Ukrainian operations targeting Russian diesel refineries.
US President Donald Trump called on Kyiv end military strategy, claiming that the strikes were responsible for rising energy prices.
But Stringer said Western allies should “salute” Ukraine’s success in “hurting Putin”.
“This is hurting Putin. He thought he was going to roll in, establish a new security architecture in Europe that started in Ukraine in early 22, and he’s been sorely disabused on that one,” Stringer said.
“What Ukraine has been able to do through imagination, innovation and will is quite incredible and we should salute it,” he added.
