News of War Staff Writer
NATO Military Chief Urges Readiness for Unpredictable Era, Pledges Support to Ukraine
BRUSSELS - A leading NATO military figure has emphasised the need for readiness in an unpredictable world, urging both public and private sectors in the West to adapt to a new era where "anything could happen at any time, including fighting a war."
"We need a war-fighting transformation of NATO," stated Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, the head of NATO's Military Committee, during the opening of a two-day conference of national defence chiefs in Brussels.
Admiral Bauer highlighted the contrast between the past environment, where NATO governments and businesses operated in a context of abundance, predictability, control, and efficiency focus, and the current reality post-Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He urged a shift in mindset to an era characterised by unpredictability and the necessity of prioritising effectiveness to achieve full efficacy.
His comments coincide with challenges in military aid distribution, facing delays or limitations due to political disputes in the United States and the European Union.
Reaffirming NATO's commitment, Bauer assured ongoing support for Ukraine. "Ukraine will have our support for every day that is to come, because the outcome of this war will determine the fate of the world," he declared.
These remarks follow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's warning about Western reluctance in supporting Kyiv and apprehensions of escalating the conflict with Russia, potentially extending the war for years.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently criticized EU allies for their inadequate support for Kyiv and called for intensified efforts. He expressed confidence in the EU's agreement on a proposed 50 billion-euro aid package for Ukraine at an emergency summit scheduled for Feb. 1, despite a previous failure to reach consensus at a December EU summit due to Hungary's opposition.