NATO Chief: Military Aid Alone Won’t Stop Russia’s Offensive Actions in Ukraine

NATO Military Chief Rob Bauer stated during a May 16 briefing that supplying Ukraine with necessary military aid, even promptly and efficiently, might not deter Russia from offensive actions. This statement followed a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

When questioned about NATO’s potential actions to prevent further Russian offensives like the one initiated on May 10 in the Kharkiv region, Bauer emphasized that while NATO’s actions cannot directly prevent Russian aggression, they can ensure that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are well-prepared and equipped to counter any offensive. He acknowledged that deterrence is no longer a primary concern since the war has been ongoing for over 800 days, stating, “It is important to understand and explain that whatever we do will not necessarily prevent Russians from doing something.”

Bauer further elaborated on Russia’s continued aggression, attributing it to their failure to achieve strategic goals. He emphasized that Ukraine must continue to fight to reclaim its occupied territories, stating, “Russia will not stop because none of its strategic goals has been achieved. That’s why they continue. And that is why Ukraine has to continue apart from the fact that they want their territories back that was taken from them.”

Ukraine has faced a critical shortage of ammunition due to prolonged delays in aid approval from both the US Congress and the European Union’s initiative to supply ammunition.