The Deputy Secretary General of NATO said on Friday that in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Alliance is more united than ever and will continue to help Ukraine “as long as it is needed.” Joana believes that “Russia’s belligerent rhetoric” and “Kremlin’s nervousness indicate a certain degree of desperation.”

“Ukraine still needs our help. This is a very dynamic moment. Discussions about the need to support Ukraine do not take place once a month, but every day. We know their needs every day, what we can offer, what quality of equipment we offer them. Russia’s belligerent rhetoric indicates a certain desperation. This flurry of super-militant and absurd statements shows Russia’s nervousness,” Deputy Secretary General Mircea Joana said in an interview with Digi24.

What does Joana say about a possible large-scale Russian invasion?

According to the official representative of NATO, Russia is mobilizing to continue the war and resist the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

“It is clear that Russia has mobilized 200,000 soldiers, we do not see how they can be of much higher quality than those already there. They are mobilizing to continue this war. That the decision will be about a counterattack, when, if, from which direction, we have elements that we can predict. (…). The difference between NATO and post-Soviet equipment, which Russia has, is obvious. We see how Russia is digging trenches in 2-3 lines of defense in the east and south. They are preparing for a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive. It is important to continue to support Ukraine at Ramstein and at subsequent meetings,” explained Joane.

At the same time, he also talks about the adaptation of NATO rules, since “there are still risks from the south, terrorism, Nord-Stream” and there is a need to protect critical infrastructures.

Mircea Joane refused to give a clear answer when asked about a possible run for the presidency and about PSD polls where he was “measured”.

“I am what I am, I am doing my job in NATO, I am a well-known person in Romania (…) I am focused on what I have to do now, I am watching Romanian politics with interest, I am convinced that this discussion will be restored at the right time. I don’t count any debate. I think about our country, about our union. I feel a little above the political noise in Romania or in other countries,” Joane also said.

In October 2022, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Joane gave a speech at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, in which he announced the launch of an “ambitious national political project” for the next decade. Joana said that the new political project should “propose some strategic goals, accepted politically and in society, and then achieved beyond political cycles”.

• VIDEO Joana launches her own national project: “Implementation of the national idea” and “strategic compass for the next decade”