Jens Stoltenberg on NATO's Role in Ukraine and Biden's Mental Fitness

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg explains that the alliance has no plans to invite Ukraine to join the organization but will continue to support its defense against Russian aggression. He also declines to comment on President Biden's mental fitness, emphasizing NATO's focus on unity and geopolitical threats.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has ruled out the possibility of Ukraine receiving an invitation to join the alliance in the near future. During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Stoltenberg stated that NATO's focus remains on supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities rather than membership.

"We will help to ensure that Ukraine can move closer to membership and by providing training equipment to ensure that the Ukrainian forces move towards meeting NATO standards, but not a decision on membership," Stoltenberg said.

Jens Stoltenberg on NATO's Role in Ukraine and Biden's Mental Fitness

Stoltenberg's comments come as world leaders gather in Washington, D.C., for the 75th NATO anniversary summit. Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the meeting.

Despite NATO's reluctance to extend a formal invitation to Ukraine, Stoltenberg emphasized the alliance's commitment to supporting the country's defense efforts. He noted that 23 NATO members now spend more than 2% of their GDP on defense, a significant increase in recent years.

Jens Stoltenberg on NATO's Role in Ukraine and Biden's Mental Fitness

"If President Putin wins in Ukraine, it will not only embolden President Putin, it will also embolden President Xi and demonstrate how authoritarian leaders in Beijing or Moscow will get their way when they use military force," Stoltenberg said. "Therefore, it's in our security interest to support Ukraine. It's not charity. It's in our interest to, to provide support to Ukraine."

Stoltenberg also addressed concerns about President Biden's mental fitness, an issue that has been raised by some critics in the United States. However, Stoltenberg declined to offer his opinion on the matter, citing NATO's policy of staying out of domestic political debates.

Jens Stoltenberg on NATO's Role in Ukraine and Biden's Mental Fitness

"If I start to answer questions like that, I will be dragged into a U.S. internal debate, and the reason why NATO is the most successful alliance in history, is that we have stayed out of domestic, personal issues, and I aim to continue to do so," he said.

During the Fox News interview, Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of NATO's unity in the face of global challenges. He pointed to the alliance's efforts to address threats posed by China, Iran, and North Korea, emphasizing the need for collective action to maintain international security.

Jens Stoltenberg on NATO's Role in Ukraine and Biden's Mental Fitness

"NATO's strength lies in our unity, and our ability to work together to address the challenges we face," Stoltenberg said. "And I am confident that we will continue to do so in the years to come."