Putin's war in Ukraine has deepened divisions in Russia, NATO chief says
Stoltenberg said it's too early to speculate on the effects of the move of Wagner troops to Belarus, but stressed the alliance is ready to defend itself against any threat.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 10:05 | 27 June 2023
- Modified Date: 11:31 | 27 June 2023
The events in Russia over the weekend have shown that the war in Ukraine has deepened divisions in Russia, but Ukraine's allies still cannot underestimate Russia and must keep supporting Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.
Stoltenberg said it's too early to speculate on the effects of the move of Wagner troops to Belarus, but stressed the alliance is ready to defend itself against any threat.
"It's too early to make any final judgment about the consequences of the fact that Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, and that most likely some of his forces will also be located in Belarus," Stoltenberg told reporters after a meeting with government leaders of seven NATO countries in The Hague.
"But we have sent a clear message to Moscow and Minsk that NATO is there to protect every ally, every inch of NATO territory."
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Russian mercenary group Wagner, flew into exile in Belarus on Tuesday.