01:24Mandatory credit: NATO TV
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that backing for Ukraine had not 'been a given', in a surprising admission at the start of the 75th annual Summit in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"Russia's war against Ukraine is the biggest security crisis in generations," he claimed. "Ukraine has shown remarkable courage, and NATO Alliance have provided unprecedented support. But let's be honest, not even our support for Ukraine has been a given. It is not straightforward, because our support comes with costs and risks."
He also alleged that 'authoritarian leaders' in "Iran, in North Korea, and China" all support 'Russia's brutal war'.
The three are seen as having close relations with Moscow although have repeatedly denied supplying military equipment. Beijing has called for peace in the region, and accused Western nations, notably the US, of trying to 'interfere' in legitimate trade with Moscow.
While Ukraine has called for additional military supplies, Russia has denied claims the conflict is a wider threat and has accused NATO members of escalating the fighting with repeated weapons deliveries, bringing the alliance into 'direct conflict' with Moscow.
The 75th NATO Summit in DC began on Tuesday and continues until July 11. According to media reports, key divisions are expected to open on Ukraine, with suggestions that Kiev may be told it is 'too corrupt' to join the alliance. Stoltenberg's own plan for 'multi-year' funding for Ukraine - seen as a way to negate the impact of a Trump presidency - is also expected to face opposition.
'Let's be honest, Ukraine support has not been a given' - Stoltenberg admits backing comes with 'costs and risks'
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that backing for Ukraine had not 'been a given', in a surprising admission at the start of the 75th annual Summit in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"Russia's war against Ukraine is the biggest security crisis in generations," he claimed. "Ukraine has shown remarkable courage, and NATO Alliance have provided unprecedented support. But let's be honest, not even our support for Ukraine has been a given. It is not straightforward, because our support comes with costs and risks."
He also alleged that 'authoritarian leaders' in "Iran, in North Korea, and China" all support 'Russia's brutal war'.
The three are seen as having close relations with Moscow although have repeatedly denied supplying military equipment. Beijing has called for peace in the region, and accused Western nations, notably the US, of trying to 'interfere' in legitimate trade with Moscow.
While Ukraine has called for additional military supplies, Russia has denied claims the conflict is a wider threat and has accused NATO members of escalating the fighting with repeated weapons deliveries, bringing the alliance into 'direct conflict' with Moscow.
The 75th NATO Summit in DC began on Tuesday and continues until July 11. According to media reports, key divisions are expected to open on Ukraine, with suggestions that Kiev may be told it is 'too corrupt' to join the alliance. Stoltenberg's own plan for 'multi-year' funding for Ukraine - seen as a way to negate the impact of a Trump presidency - is also expected to face opposition.
Mandatory credit: NATO TV
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that backing for Ukraine had not 'been a given', in a surprising admission at the start of the 75th annual Summit in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"Russia's war against Ukraine is the biggest security crisis in generations," he claimed. "Ukraine has shown remarkable courage, and NATO Alliance have provided unprecedented support. But let's be honest, not even our support for Ukraine has been a given. It is not straightforward, because our support comes with costs and risks."
He also alleged that 'authoritarian leaders' in "Iran, in North Korea, and China" all support 'Russia's brutal war'.
The three are seen as having close relations with Moscow although have repeatedly denied supplying military equipment. Beijing has called for peace in the region, and accused Western nations, notably the US, of trying to 'interfere' in legitimate trade with Moscow.
While Ukraine has called for additional military supplies, Russia has denied claims the conflict is a wider threat and has accused NATO members of escalating the fighting with repeated weapons deliveries, bringing the alliance into 'direct conflict' with Moscow.
The 75th NATO Summit in DC began on Tuesday and continues until July 11. According to media reports, key divisions are expected to open on Ukraine, with suggestions that Kiev may be told it is 'too corrupt' to join the alliance. Stoltenberg's own plan for 'multi-year' funding for Ukraine - seen as a way to negate the impact of a Trump presidency - is also expected to face opposition.