NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg fears that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine could drag on for a very long time. For this reason he called on the European member states to rearm themselves en masse. “We must prepare for a confrontation that could last decades,” he warned.
“NATO is not looking for war with Russia,” Stoltenberg said in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag”. Still, you need to prepare for an emergency. “If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wins in Ukraine, there is no guarantee that Russian aggression will not spread to other countries,” the NATO chief warned.
Stoltenberg: “Replenish your own stocks”
Arms production in Europe must therefore be increased. “We need to recover and expand our industrial base more quickly so that we can increase supplies to Ukraine and replenish our own supplies,” the former Norwegian prime minister said.
NATO chief: The West can surpass Russia in weapons production
Stoltenberg therefore advocated that NATO states quickly conclude contracts with their defense industries so that they could increase production. The West has the resources to surpass Russia in both production and investment. As Moscow focuses its entire economy on war, NATO must also do more for its security. If the alliance does not follow suit, Russian President Vladimir Putin will benefit. This would endanger the security of Europe.
Expert believes an attack on NATO territory is possible
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, believes that a Russian attack on NATO territory cannot be ruled out if Ukraine loses the war. Asked whether he believed Putin could carry out such an attack, he told the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday): “Of course. Putin has said several times that the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century was the collapse of the Soviet Union, because it left many Russians stranded outside Russia’s borders.
Putin wants to restore a Greater Russia within the borders of the former Soviet Union, a Russian empire in which he can rule as a tsar, according to Heusgen. “If Putin does not lose the war in Ukraine, we should expect him to attack the Republic of Moldova or the Baltic states as well.” Peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted. Deterrence only works if it is credible, according to Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg advocates military aid to Ukraine
He does not want to speculate about what Putin really dares to do. “But we must do everything we can to ensure that Ukraine receives the weapons and military assistance it needs to successfully defend itself against Russia’s aggressors and drive them from its territory.”
Putin said in an interview with right-wing American presenter Tucker Carlson that Russia has no territorial claims on Poland or the Baltic state of Latvia. A Russian invasion of these NATO states is “absolutely impossible” – with one possible exception: “If Poland attacks Russia.” In response, Polish Parliament Speaker Szymon Holownia warned in Warsaw not to believe such conciliatory statements from Putin.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
