It is time to step up our cooperation with our partners, near and far, like Moldova, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such a statement NATO Secretary General made at the 68th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

“We must be prepared to support Ukraine for the long haul. Yes, I know that this support comes with a price. In our countries, many people face a cost-of-living crisis. Energy and food bills are rising. These are tough times for many.

But the price we pay as NATO Allies is measured in money. While the Ukrainians, they pay a price which is measured in blood. And if we allow Putin to win, all of us will have to pay a much higher price. Authoritarian regimes around the world will learn that they can get what they want with brute force.

This would have direct consequences for our security. It would make the world more dangerous. And us more vulnerable. That is the reason why we cannot allow President Putin to win in Ukraine.

So we need to stay the course together. And I count on all of you, as members of parliament, to keep making the case for supporting Ukraine.

It is also time to step up our cooperation with our partners, near and far. With those most affected by Russian aggression and coercion. Like the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. And with all like-minded countries around the world. From Latin America to the Middle East, and North Africa to the Indo-Pacific region.

We share security interests and face the same challenges. We can and should tackle them together. To defend freedom against oppression. Democracy against tyranny. And to uphold the international rules based institutions that benefit all of us”, - said Jens Stoltenberg.