THE HAGUE: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg affirmed on Tuesday that the alliance is prepared to defend itself against any potential threat from “Moscow or Minsk,” following Belarus’ decision to grant exile to Wagner rebel leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Stoltenberg announced that NATO would strengthen its defenses at an upcoming summit in Lithuania, with a particular focus on safeguarding member states, especially those sharing a border with Belarus, an ally of Russia.
While acknowledging the presence of Prigozhin in Belarus and the potential relocation of his forces, Stoltenberg cautioned against drawing final conclusions. However, he emphasized that NATO has delivered a clear message to both Moscow and Minsk that the alliance stands ready to protect every member and every inch of NATO territory. Stoltenberg stated, “There should be no room for misunderstanding in Moscow or Minsk regarding our ability to defend allies against any potential threat, regardless of the movement of the Wagner forces.”
NATO Committed to Defend Allies
During a joint dinner with seven national leaders in The Hague, Stoltenberg expressed NATO’s commitment to defending its allies and warned against underestimating Russia’s capabilities despite the recent events. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda raised concerns about the possible deployment of Wagner fighters in Belarus, emphasizing the heightened risk of instability faced by neighboring countries in such a scenario.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former Kremlin ally and catering contractor, arrived in Belarus on Tuesday following a dramatic weekend revolt by Wagner fighters, which posed a significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule. Prigozhin, known for building Russia’s most powerful private army and recruiting thousands of prisoners to fight in Ukraine, has now sought refuge in Belarus.
Stoltenberg underscored the importance of continuing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and announced that NATO allies would discuss the path to Kyiv’s potential membership in the alliance. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the host of the dinner, rejected Putin’s claim that the West desires internal chaos in Russia. Rutte emphasized that instability within Russia would have adverse consequences for Europe, asserting the West’s commitment to stability in both regions.
