NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed fears that the armed conflict in Ukraine—which is nearing its tenth month—could escalate further this winter and precipitate a “major war” between Russia and the West. He says the transatlantic alliance’s principal task is to prevent the war from expanding to Europe.
During a wide-ranging interview with the state-owned Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Friday, December 6th, Stoltenberg, who’s been serving as NATO’s secretary-general since 2014, said that he is deeply concerned the Russo-Ukraine war could go “horribly wrong” and escalate into a direct military conflict between NATO and Russia.
“It’s a very serious and fateful time in Europe, and thus also for Norway,” Stoltenberg began, adding: “If things go wrong, things can go terribly wrong.”
I fear that the war in Ukraine will get out of control and spread into a major war between NATO and Russia. But I am confident that we will avoid it.
“[Vladimir Putin] knows it’s one for all, and all for one. NATO’s most important task is to prevent full-scale war in Europe, and that is something we work on every single day,” Stoltenberg added.
The NATO chief, who previously served as Norway’s prime minister, also addressed the growing angst throughout Europe over rising prices and rapidly declining standards of living. “I understand those who think that food prices and electricity bills are too high. It is a painful price we in Europe pay,” he said, claiming that Europe would pay a far greater price, namely losing its freedom, if Putin wins in Ukraine.
Speaking on the possibility of reaching a peace agreement, Stoltenberg suggested that the prospects were dismal, saying: “At some point, conversations are useless. Putin had decided to use force and power. What helps is supporting Ukraine militarily. It is only a strong Ukraine that leads to peace.”
Days ago, French President Emmanuel Macron, while on a state visit to Washington said that in order to have the slightest chance of bringing about peace negotiations, Moscow would need to be offered security “guarantees,”—a statement which angered countries like Poland and the Baltics.
“One of the essential points we must address—as President Putin has always said—is the fear that NATO comes right up to its doors and the deployment of weapons that could threaten Russia,” the French premier said.
