OSLO SPEKTRUM (VG) Jens Stoltenberg says Russia’s victory in Ukraine is a tragedy for Ukrainians – but also dangerous for us. In his first speech of 2023, the NATO Secretary General warned against underestimating Russia.
He spoke Thursday morning at the NHO’s annual conference in Oslo.
The NATO chief said that Norway’s military support is appreciated and noted.
He explained how NATO tried to prevent Russia from going to war in the months leading up to February 24 last year, when the country militarily attacked Ukraine.
We also have accurate and specific intelligence about the build-up of Russian forces along the border and their concrete plans. We have been sharing this information with the media and the public, he said, warning over a period of months.
We have made great political and diplomatic efforts to prevent war. Till the end. But President Putin chose to go on the offensive. When he did that, we were ready, Stoltenberg said.
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The way to peace
The NATO chief now believes that Western military support for Ukraine is too critical for Russia to not achieve its military and political goals:
– If we want a peaceful, negotiated solution, we have to support it
Ukraine.
He added that weapons are the way to peace.
– If Putin wins in Ukraine, it will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians.
But it is also dangerous for us. have him.
It is dangerous to underestimate it
Although Ukraine has resisted the territories originally occupied by Russia, Stoltenberg warns not to take it lightly so that Ukraine can win:
– He said that it was dangerous to underestimate Russia.
He pointed out that Russia and Putin are willing to take great risks and suffer great human losses and suffering, and that they have mobilized 200,000 new soldiers.
– said Stoltenberg, and there is no indication that Russia has changed its ambitions in Ukraine.
– Three lessons
Stoltenberg also highlighted three lessons from the Ukraine war so far:
- NATO countries should invest more in defence
- He warns against relying on authoritarian regimes, such as Russia and China
- Authoritarian nations unite – so it is critical that democratic nations stand together
Not because we are always right, or we are never wrong. But because we stand for common values, Stoltenberg said.
– If we take care of NATO, Stoltenberg said, NATO will take care of all of us.
Stordalen was impressed
Hotel King Peter Stordalen sat in the hall and was impressed.
Sitting in the auditorium and listening to Jens Stoltenberg is one of the greatest things I’ve been involved with. This is the best speech I’ve ever heard at an NHO annual conference and I’ve been here for a few years, says a jubilant Peter Stordalen after NATO Chief Stoltenberg’s speech at the NHO annual conference in Spektrum on Thursday.
– He outlines all the major challenges and talks about the geopolitical picture before telling us what is needed to solve the challenges the world is facing. Absolutely gorgeous, says Stordalen.
“Organizer. Social media geek. General communicator. Bacon scholar. Proud pop culture trailblazer.”
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