Regarding the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine, there are growing voices among Western countries pursuing Russia's responsibility, such as the finding that many civilians have been killed in the town of Bucha near the capital Kieu.
Under these circumstances, the NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Foreign Ministers' Meeting has been held since the 6th, and Foreign Minister Hayashi is the first Japanese Foreign Minister to attend.
Prior to the meeting, Secretary-General Stortemberg responded to an independent interview with NHK.
The full text of the interview will be posted.
■ There is no doubt that atrocities were committed in Bucha etc.
Q: The Secretary-General often says, "NATO has its own information and is closely watching the situation in Ukraine."
Are you convinced that it was the Russian army that killed the civilians in Bucha and the general public?
NATO Secretary-General Stortemberg:
"We have a lot of information, and we also see public information such as commercial satellites and media information.
Taken together, cruelty in Bucha and elsewhere .
There is no doubt that it took place.
Targets include citizens, residential areas, schools, hospitals, etc.
Some of the people killed in Bucha had their hands tied up.
It's a very serious situation and it's becoming more and more apparent that war crimes have been committed.
That's why it's important to have a thorough investigation and judicial proceedings.
NATO member states reveal the facts and We support the efforts of the United Nations and the ICC = International Criminal Court to bring the person in charge to the judiciary. "
■ Discuss what can be done at this Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Q: Ukraine is seeking military support.
NATO already provides a lot of support, but what can we do more?
Are NATO members ready to provide more aggressive weapons to enhance Ukraine's ability to defend itself?
NATO Secretary-General Stortemberg:
"NATO member states have supported Ukraine for many years.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops trained by member states are now on the front lines and bravely fighting invading forces. The
Ukrainian army is now much larger, better equipped, well trained and well commanded than it was when Russia invaded last time in 2014. It
can fight and resist the invading Russian army .
It is, above all, due to the courage and responsibility of the Ukrainian army, but it is also supported by equipment from NATO member states. "
"NATO members will discuss what they can do at this foreign ministers' meeting. They
have already provided a very sophisticated system capable of destroying armored vehicles and tanks.
NATO members have provided Ukraine .
Many Russian armored vehicles have been destroyed by anti-tank weapons, and advanced Russian aircraft have been shot down by air defense systems.
The Czech Republic has announced that it will provide tanks to Ukraine.
NATO member states have never been.
We have provided a lot of support and will discuss what we can do further at the Foreign Ministers' Meeting. "
"We cannot reveal the details of the system provided by NATO member states, but look at what is happening on the battlefield in the field.
Ukraine has stopped and invaded Europe's largest army .
It is costly and costly.
Russian troops have been forced to change their combat plans and are now withdrawing from northern Ukraine and heading east, entering the eastern part of Ukraine from Russia.
In the eastern part in the coming weeks. Or sooner, a large-scale attack by Russian troops will be launched.
Member states will provide more and different types of equipment to support Ukraine. "
■ President Putin's "ambition" has not changed
Q: Russian troops have withdrawn from the suburbs of Kieu, what are your goals for the future?
NATO Secretary-General Stortemberg:
"Basically, I believe that Russia's" ambition "by President Putin has not changed.
It means putting the whole Ukraine under control, including Kyiv.
However, they had to completely change the way they achieved that goal.
Initially, the plan was to achieve this goal in a few days, attacking from the south, east, and north, and advancing toward Kyiv.
They failed this plan.
He underestimated the courage of the Ukrainian army and the people of Ukraine, and the political leaders of Ukraine, and the support from NATO members and other countries. "
"As a result, they have been forced to relocate their troops and are about to launch further attacks in the south and east.
But Ukraine is ready.
Ukrainian troops have strengthened their defenses and NATO members .
Is also trying to strengthen its support.
I would like to convey this message to President Putin :
"Stop this war, withdraw all troops and take seriously the dialogue for a political solution."
■ Further support for Ukraine
Q: It is said that the focus of Russian troops is now on eastern Ukraine.
Do you see that the purpose of the Russian army is more than just taking control of eastern Ukraine?
NATO Secretary-General Stortemberg:
"War is always unpredictable and can change, of course.
But at this point, Russian troops have withdrawn from the suburbs of Kieu and the north to eastern Ukraine via Belarus and western Russia. We are planning to launch and launch a major attack there, which means
we have entered a new phase of the war.
At this crucial stage, we need to further support Ukraine. It
is
important not only to support Ukraine, but also to impose further sanctions on President Putin and the Russian economy. "
"We still believe that the main goal and purpose of Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains the same, that is to bring Ukraine under control, but
they have to change the way they achieve that goal . I
didn't get it because
I had more resistance than I expected.
Russia underestimated the power of the Ukrainian people and overestimated the power of their army.
We aim for President Putin .
We must support you so that you will not achieve
■ Meeting with partner countries such as Japan Very important
Q: In this situation, NATO will hold a foreign ministers' meeting with partner countries such as Japan.
Why is it important for NATO to meet a country that is neither North America nor Europe as this military invasion continues?
Secretary-General NATO Stortemberg:
"It is very important for NATO member countries to meet with partners in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan.
At the NATO and G7 summit (held last month), I was the Prime Minister of Japan. I met with the Minister and thanked Japan for its close partnership with NATO.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become more dangerous, international competition has intensified, and prices of energy and food have soared. This partnership is necessary and I look forward to meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister, as the impacts are spreading all over the world. "
"Russia and China are also deepening ties.
China will not condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and China's joint declaration by President Xi Jinping and President Putin issued during the Beijing Olympics will expand NATO. He warned against it.
NATO members are concerned that two powerful countries, China and Russia, are deepening their ties, but I know that Japan is also concerned.
That is why we need to stand together and uphold basic values such as democracy, rule of law and rule-based international order.
That is why we value our partnership with Japan. "
■ Japan welcomes strict sanctions on Russia
Q: What role do you expect from Japan?
NATO Secretary-General Stortemberg:
"First of all, Japan has supported NATO's various efforts for many years,
such as the fight against terrorism, financial support for NATO's activities, and the inability to kill Ukraine.
We are grateful for Japan's support, such
as the provision of equipment .
Next, we welcome Japan's strict sanctions on Russia following the military invasion of Ukraine.
And I think it is important for Japan and NATO member countries to cooperate widely in the field of security.
Response to cyber attacks, the field of oceans, the impact of climate change on security,
and the economic power of China .
It is important to work together on the impact of military power on security, as it is an
important issue for all of us, a global issue. "
■ Pay attention to what China does and does not do
Q: Finally, I have a question about China.
A statement issued at the March summit called on China to support the international order.
How will China's response to Russia's military invasion affect NATO's strategy for China in the future?
Is it possible to recognize China as a "threat"?
NATO Secretary-General Stortemberg ::
"We are paying attention to what China does and does not do.
For example, China has an important resolution at the UN General Assembly (over a resolution condemning Russia for a military invasion) .
They did not try to condemn the explicit violation of international law, the invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine,
and
sent a message to NATO that China should not accept new member states .
NATO has accepted new member states in spite of its great success in spreading democracy and the rule of law to Europe.
"
"We urge China not to politically support Russia's continued military invasion, nor to provide supplies or financial support.
What China will do for the security of Europe and Japan .
Is important, and that is why democratic countries that share the same values, such as Japan and NATO members, must unite as competition for international security intensifies. "
"We do not see China as a hostile opponent, but
we need to understand and respond to the security implications of China's increased military power.
China is spending a huge amount of money on its nuclear force .
China is close to us in cyberspace and is trying to acquire important infrastructure in Europe.
China
has a presence in the Arctic and Africa as well.
There is also the strengthening of relations between China and Russia.
All of these are important security issues. ”
(Interviewer, Kyoko Takeda, Director of the Brussels Bureau)