Security policy NATO Secretary General on Ukraine: “Russia has used its military power against its neighbors in the past”

Abroad|Security policy

Brussels

Military alliance Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg according to there is a real risk that Russia will launch a military invasion of Ukraine. The threat is conveyed by both the movement of Russian troops and the harsh rhetoric.

“Russia has used its military power against its neighbors in the past in Georgia, Ukraine and other countries,” Stoltenberg recalls.

In an interview with STT and the Swedish news agency TT, Stoltenberg says that in order to support Ukraine, it is first and foremost necessary to promote a political solution. It is being sought, among other things, through dialogue.

“We are ready to sit down and have discussions in a good spirit to find a solution,” Stoltenberg says.

Discussions on the security situation in Europe have taken place on several fronts. The United States has had direct talks with Russia, NATO and Russia have met, and the situation has also been raised through the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

A meeting of the so-called Normandy Group, which includes Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine, is scheduled to take place in Paris on Wednesday.

According to Stoltenberg, NATO will soon make its own proposal to ease tensions in Europe. The military alliance has also suggested that Russia continue the meetings.

Stoltenberg considers it important that the West has made it clear that a possible new Russian invasion of Ukraine would come at a high price, both politically and economically.

At the same time, Stoltenberg mentions strengthening Ukraine’s defense, as it also sends a message to Russia about the high cost of a possible attack.

Several NATO countries, such as the United States, Britain and the Baltic states, have already agreed to send anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, among other things.

NATO has said it will strengthen its defense in Eastern Europe. Stoltenberg answers the question of whether such measures really only have a tension-tightening effect in Europe.

According to Stoltenberg, NATO does not want to exacerbate the situation, but to ease tensions. He emphasizes the defensive nature of the actions.

“NATO’s defensive and proportionate efforts are the result of Russia’s continued mobilization of its forces.”

Discourse Finland’s and Sweden’s possible NATO membership has surfaced at the same time as the security situation in Europe has tightened.

According to Stoltenberg, NATO is closely following the NATO debate in Finland and Sweden. Almost in the same breath, however, he emphasizes that the possible application for membership is a matter for each country and cannot be influenced by outsiders.

Read more: Russia reacts violently to Finland’s NATO debate – “Finland’s new line has not increased your security”

Stoltenberg commented earlier in January that the membership process for Finland and Sweden could move forward quite quickly in technical terms, but ultimately the decision is political.

The BTI asked Stoltenberg to assess what kind of political discussion would arise between NATO countries about a possible application for membership from Finland or Sweden.

Stoltenberg begins his response by stating that the decision would be with the members of the military alliance.

“There are no other countries in the world that are closer to NATO than Finland and Sweden. The process could therefore move forward quickly if there is a political will to do so, ”Stoltenberg ponders.

“I have not heard any member state suspect Sweden and Finland. On the contrary, everyone sees them as very important – countries with high standards of defense and security institutions. ”