NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday he understood the need for the United States to maintain adequate stocks in its weapons depots, but at the same time expressed hope that the necessary flexibility would be shown to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine. This was reported by Reuters, BTA reports.
“I fully understand that the United States wants to ensure that its weapons stockpiles are at a level that ensures our collective defense“, Rutte told reporters after a ceremony at which US Air Force General Alexis Grinkevich officially took over as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe.“, however, we all hope that there will be sufficient flexibility to ensure that Ukraine receives the support it needs,“, the secretary general stressed.“, Rutte added that the leadership of the new commander Alexis Grinkevich would be crucial as Europe takes on increasing responsibility for the alliance's collective defense.”, Grinkevich said that the threats facing NATO were becoming increasingly interconnected, but could not be matched by the strength of unity, determination and the common goal of the union.