Turchynov: NATO and the EU are not ready to fight against Russia
Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov stated that NATO and the EU are not ready for a military confrontation with Russia, even if there were no alternative.
In an interview with Lb.ua, Turchynov said, “I’m pretty much counting on the morality of our European partners, on their self-preservation instinct. Because stopping Russia’s aggression is equally important for them and Ukraine. Several times the topic of sanctions could be really torpedoed, but they still continue to work."
“I met with many high ranking officials from NATO and the EU and asked them the following: Suppose, tomorrow Russia enters one of the Baltic States to protect the Russian-speaking population. What would you do? And this has already happened. They got numb. They are not ready to fight against Russia today, even if there is no alternative for them. Ukraine for them is a country that learned to fight and is ready to deter such a violent aggressor as Russia," Turchynov stated.
“Unfortunately, many people don’t understand this. They don’t understand that it is Ukraine who is a factor of security for Europe today. And as long as the Ukrainian army is ready to deter Russia’s aggression, [European countries] can afford to pick their noses,” the NSDC secretary added,
“But when there is no deterrent factor, we will see how they can continue picking their noses. Maybe, it sounds too harsh but Ukraine’s role is seriously underestimated by many European politicians. Partly because of self-admiration, partly because of their minor internal problems. I’d like to see how long European countries will last in a military confrontation against such a powerful aggressor as Russia. On its own. Without external military assistance or protection. Without nuclear weapons, financial reserves, without anything,” Turchynov noted.