NATO Secretary General warns against isolationism in farewell speech
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Europeans and Americans against the temptation of isolationism in a speech delivered just days before the end of his term. The former Norwegian Prime Minister, who has led the Atlantic Alliance for ten years, will step down on October 1, when he will be replaced by Dutchman Mark Rutte.
In excerpts of his speech released by NATO, Stoltenberg stressed that there are voices on both sides of the Atlantic calling for a parting of the ways between the United States and Europe. “Isolationism will not make anyone safe,” he warned. Focusing on short-term national interests at the expense of long-term cooperation would weaken collective security, he said.
Mr Stoltenberg also recalled the criticism NATO has faced in recent years. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has regularly lambasted European allies, accusing them of not providing a fair share of funding for the alliance, and has even threatened to withdraw US support in the event of a Russian attack.
Yet in his farewell speech, Mr Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO's relevance and strength. "The Atlantic Alliance is strong, united and more important than ever," he said, stressing the need for enhanced cooperation in the face of growing threats, including the war in Ukraine.
Preparations for a possible war with Russia
Amid tensions with Moscow, Rob Bauer, the head of NATO's military committee, has warned that the West must step up its preparations for a possible conflict with Russia. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its second anniversary, Bauer stressed that the alliance must be prepared to "expect the unexpected."
The warning comes ahead of NATO's major military exercises, dubbed Steadfast Defender 2024, which will involve 90 troops across several complex scenarios aimed at strengthening the alliance's ability to conduct operations on multiple fronts.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues to fuel regional tensions. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently expressed concern about a possible spread of the conflict to Ukraine's neighbors, while Kremlin threats against the Baltic states have increased.
Growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia
On the ground, fighting continues in Ukraine, with stable front lines but regular attacks from both sides. Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities with drones and cruise missiles, while kyiv intensifies its strikes on Russian economic and military facilities. On January 19, an oil depot in Russia’s Bryansk region was attacked by a Ukrainian drone, causing a fire, according to local authorities. As NATO ramps up its preparations for a possible confrontation, the war in Ukraine is a reminder of how crucial international alliances are to global security.
