As Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear threat amid rising tensions with Ukraine, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană labeled Putin’s warnings as “psychological intimidation” rather than an imminent danger. In an interview with Spanish newspaper El País, Geoană emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation and erosion of trust. Despite French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion of potential Western troop deployment to assist Ukraine, Geoană clarified that NATO currently has no plans to send troops to the region.
Putin’s Nuclear Warning
In response to Macron’s statement that the West couldn’t rule out sending troops to aid Ukraine against a full-scale Russian invasion, Putin issued a warning, stating that such actions could lead to a conflict involving nuclear weapons.
Psychological Intimidation
Geoană characterized Putin’s nuclear saber-rattling as part of a strategy involving “psychological intimidation” rather than a clear indication of immediate intentions. He stressed that while there’s no imminent threat of Russia using nuclear weapons, such statements erode trust and carry inherent dangers.
NATO’s Stance
Emphasizing NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and preventing escalation with Russia, Geoană affirmed that the alliance currently has no intentions or plans to deploy troops to Ukraine. He expressed confidence in NATO’s unity and hoped that, irrespective of the U.S. presidential outcome, the alliance would remain strong given the global challenges posed by countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Future Plans
Geoană, who might run in the Romanian presidential election later this year, highlighted NATO’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and emphasized the need to uphold stability in the face of geopolitical tensions.
COMMENTS