NATO chief dismisses immediate Russian military threat to alliance

Published February 05,2024

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated Sunday that there’s at the moment no imminent navy risk from Russia in direction of a NATO member, highlighting the alliance’s strengthened protection capabilities.

In an interview with German public broadcaster ARD, Stoltenberg dismissed claims that Russia would assault a member of the alliance if it wins the struggle in Ukraine.

“We do not currently perceive a military threat against a NATO ally in the near future,” he stated, noting that NATO has been “significantly strengthened” lately and all member states have invested “significantly” in their very own protection.

NATO has tailored to the brand new actuality arising from Russia’s unlawful annexation of Crimea in 2014, acknowledging and adjusting to the modified circumstances, he stated.

Stoltenberg stated he expects Germany and all NATO members to modernize their armed forces and equip them accordingly, noting that Germany is at the moment the member with the best protection spending after the U.S. and the UK.

Stoltenberg emphasised Germany’s contribution to the collective protection of NATO and urged each Germany and different companions to accentuate their efforts to construct a dependable protection for the longer term.

Assessing the potential affect on NATO ought to former U.S. President Donald Trump be re-elected, Stoltenberg expressed confidence that the U.S. would stay a dependable and constant ally for NATO as a consequence of varied causes aligning with its safety pursuits.

Regarding Trump’s previous criticism of members not spending sufficient on NATO, he clarified that it was extra a critique of inadequate spending by NATO allies, emphasizing that with elevated spending and unity, NATO stays safe.

Stoltenberg additionally highlighted that NATO members account for 50% of the world’s financial and navy energy, making the alliance important for the U.S., and he expects them to stay dependable companions so long as they stand and act collectively.