Mr Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine’s counter-offensive was a way to gain negotiating leverage. “The more territory the Ukrainians liberate, the more power they have at the negotiating table,” he said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US President Joe Biden. Photo: AFP
Mr Biden welcomed Mr Stoltenberg, who steps down in September, saying NATO's response to the Ukraine conflict had made the alliance stronger.
"We have reinforced NATO's eastern flank, making clear that we will defend every inch of NATO territory. I reiterate America's ironclad commitment to NATO's Article V," Biden said, referring to the alliance's commitment to defend each other.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has announced a new $325 million package of ammunition and heavy weapons to provide to Ukraine. The Pentagon said the aid package will “support Ukraine’s efforts to retake sovereign territory and support Ukraine’s air defenses.”
The NATO chief's meeting with Mr Biden had been scheduled for Monday but was postponed after the US president had to undergo root canal treatment.
Asked about who would replace him at the end of his term, Stoltenberg told CNN: "I have full confidence that they will find an excellent successor. My focus now is to lead this alliance until the end of my term, because we are in the middle of a war in Europe."
Quoc Thien (according to AFP)
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