NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday urged European countries to significantly increase defense spending to avoid a major war with Russia. “We are not ready for what comes in four to five years,” he warned in his first major speech since taking the NATO post. “The threats are approaching with full force,” he added. Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine has prompted NATO to bolster its eastern flank, but despite increased defense budgets, NATO countries still can’t match Russia’s arms production. “Russia is preparing for a long-term conflict. With Ukraine. And with us,” Stoltenberg said. “What happens in Ukraine can happen here,” he warned. While he acknowledged there are no immediate military threats, Stoltenberg stressed that NATO must act faster and more decisively to strengthen defense and reduce the risk of further conflict. “We can prevent the next major war on NATO territory,” he said. “It’s time to think in terms of war,” Stoltenberg said, calling for a significant increase in arms production and defense spending. Last year, NATO’s 32 member countries agreed to a minimum defense spending target of two percent of gross domestic product (GDP). This year, 23 allies are expected to meet this goal, but Stoltenberg insisted it must be increased. “Russia, China, and also North Korea and Iran are actively trying to undermine North America and Europe,” he concluded. Diplomats say NATO is preparing for a summit in June in The Hague to discuss a new target. Stoltenberg warned that investing in defense now to avoid war will be much cheaper than fighting later. “During the Cold War, Europeans spent much more than three percent of their GDP on defense. With that mindset, we won the Cold War,” he said, calling on NATO citizens to pressure politicians to make the right decisions. Despite various initiatives aimed at increasing European defense production, Stoltenberg admitted that Western efforts to strengthen their military structures lag far behind Russia and China. “We are not where we want to be,” he said, warning that Europe risks falling behind and that this is very dangerous. He called on governments to work more closely together and make “large procurements and sign long-term contracts.” Industry must “embrace innovation and take risks,” and it must establish additional maintenance and production lines, Stoltenberg said, warning that Europe’s defense industry is currently “too small, too fragmented, and too slow.”
Title: NATO Secretary-General Warns of Broad Conflict Potential with Russia
Subtitle: Jens Stoltenberg highlights the growing threat from Moscow as the alliance commemorates its 73rd anniversary.
On April 4, 2021, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg delivered a stark warning about the heightened risk of a broader conflict with Russia during a speech at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels. The remarks came as NATO celebrated its 73rd anniversary and as tensions with Moscow continue to simmer at their highest levels since the Cold War.
Stoltenberg began by underscoring the strategic challenges posed by Russia, stating that "Russia’s aggressive actions are a key challenge to Euro-Atlantic security." He cited a wide range of Russian behaviors that have deteriorated the security environment, including its annexation of Crimea, cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, and military deployments near NATO borders.
The Secretary-General warned that Russia had shown "a pattern of behavior where they are willing to use force against neighbors, including the use of force against Ukraine." This, he said, increased the likelihood of a broader conflict: "We see a real risk for a full-scale conflict in Europe, and that’s why we need to be vigilant, Prepared, and united."
Stoltenberg pointed to Russia’s significant military buildup near Ukraine as evidence of its aggressive intentions. He noted that the current deployment was the largest since 2014, when Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine. The implications of such a buildup, he emphasized, were profound: "This is a serious moment. Russia has to understand that any further aggression against Ukraine will have severe costs."
The Secretary-General also addressed concerns about Russia’s new generation of nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles, which he said posed a "direct threat" to the Euro-Atlantic area. He stressed that NATO was not seeking a new Cold War but was determined to protect and defend its member states from any threat.
To counter these challenges, Stoltenberg outlined NATO’s approach, which includes:
- Deterrence and Defense: strengthen collective defense and bolster the Alliance’s posture in the eastern part of the Euro-Atlantic area.
- Dialogue: maintain political and military channels with Russia to manage the crisis and prevent escalations, although Stoltenberg acknowledged that dialogue alone was not enough and that Russia must change its behavior.
- Addressing new challenges: step up efforts to tackle modern threats, such as cyber and hybrid warfare, and foster cooperation on issues like arms control and disarmament.
Stoltenberg concluded by reaffirming NATO’s commitment to the principle of collective defense, as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. He underscored that the Alliance stands resolute in the face of Russia’s challenges and will continue to protect and defend its member states.
The Secretary-General’s remarks underscored the grim reality of the current security environment in Europe. While NATO remains committed to de-escalation and dialogue with Russia, it is clear that the alliance views the threat from Moscow with the utmost seriousness, and is taking necessary steps to bolster its deterrence and defense capabilities.
