Stoltenberg ‘confident’ US will remain a committed NATO ally after presidential election

Talking in an interview with Euronews on Monday hours after Sweden’s NATO accession was celebrated in a flag-raising ceremony on the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Stoltenberg insisted that NATO is “an excellent deal for the USA.”

“NATO is essential for Europe but additionally for the USA. They’ve 31 buddies and allies, one thing Russia or China does not have in any respect,” Stoltenberg, who is because of step down as NATO chief in October, mentioned.

In February, Trump informed a South Carolina rally he would “encourage” Russia to assault any NATO nation that doesn’t contribute 2% of its GDP to the alliance’s coffers.

The feedback drew sharp criticism in Europe, with Stoltenberg himself warning in opposition to undermining the “credibility of NATO’s deterrence” and reminding the US {that a} robust NATO is in its curiosity because the nation has “by no means fought a warfare alone.”

It got here as some Republican lawmakers within the US Congress proceed to dam a bundle of assist to Ukraine, as some voices within the celebration favour peace negotiations over persevering with to offer army and monetary help to Kyiv.

The prospect of Donald Trump’s return to the White Home is seen as a catalyst for Europe’s efforts to bolster its personal defence capacities, with the EU not too long ago unveiling new plans to strengthen its defence business and NATO allies planning to swiftly meet the alliance’s spending goal of two% of GDP.

“The criticism will not be primarily in opposition to NATO, however the criticism has been in opposition to NATO allies not investing sufficient in NATO,” Stoltenberg mentioned in reference to Trump’s feedback. 

At the least 18 of the alliance’s 32 member international locations are anticipated to fulfill the two% spending goal this 12 months, because the warfare in Ukraine catapults defence and safety to the highest of European nations’ precedence lists.

Russia’s full-scale invasion has additionally prompted Finland and Sweden to show their backs on their historic positions of neutrality, with each nations requesting to affix NATO simply 4 months after Russia’s invasion.

Sweden’s accession grew to become potential simply final month, after Hungary lifted its veto on Stockholm’s bid. It had additionally been beforehand vetoed by Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

The transfer means Sweden is for the primary time protected beneath NATO’s collective defence clause, which implies an armed assault on the nation is taken into account an assault in opposition to all members and can enable the alliance to return to its assist.

“NATO membership makes Sweden safer and makes NATO stronger,” Stoltenberg mentioned. 

“We’re additionally sending a really clear message to Moscow that NATO’s door stays open. It isn’t for Moscow or President Putin to shut that door. It is for US and European international locations to resolve on membership.”

NATO at all times ‘vigilant’ in direction of Russia

When requested whether or not he was involved about President Putin’s potential response to additional NATO growth, Stoltenberg mentioned: “After all, we at all times have to be vigilant, we at all times must take the potential menace from Russia severely.”

“On the similar time, we do not see any imminent army menace in opposition to Sweden, Finland, or some other NATO allies,” he added.

NATO’s coverage on collective defence has managed to make sure peace for 75 years, Stoltenberg mentioned, “eradicating any room for misunderstanding or miscalculation in Moscow, about our willingness, readiness, preparedness to guard all allies.” 

“We achieve this to not provoke a warfare, however to stop a warfare, to stop an assault on a NATO ally,” he defined.

Putin has prior to now partly blamed NATO’s jap growth for Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, claiming that the alliance had promised it might not broaden after the Chilly Warfare.

Following Finland’s accession in April 2023, NATO’s land border with Russia greater than doubled. However even after this, Russia shares simply 11% of its land border with NATO international locations. 

Stoltenberg additionally repeated his proclamation of Ukraine’s proper to strike “Russian army targets outdoors Ukraine” as a part of its self-defence.

“Ukraine has the fitting to self-defence: that is enshrined in worldwide regulation, enshrined within the UN constitution. And NATO allies have the fitting to assist Ukraine uphold the fitting for self-defence,” he defined.

“And that features additionally, strikes in opposition to official Russian army targets outdoors Ukraine. That is that is a reality, it is worldwide regulation.”

The warfare on Europe’s doorstep has reinvigorated the army alliance, but additionally compelled it to make clear its crimson strains.

Stoltenberg has beforehand mentioned there aren’t any plans to ship army troops to Ukraine, after French President Emmanuel Macron’s recommended it shouldn’t be dominated out.