Stoltenberg's worst day during the decade as NATO's Secretary General was February 24, 2022 – when Russia launched a full-scale attack on its neighboring country Ukraine, says the 65-year-old in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine.
I understood that it was a turning point in our history: that there is a Europe before that day and a different Europe afterwards.
"Could have been easy"
Stoltenberg appears partially regretful about the years leading up to the invasion. In hindsight, much could have been done differently, notes the Norwegian. Now NATO is arming Ukraine for war – instead, the country could have been equipped with the capacity to prevent a war, he says.
I regret that NATO's allies and NATO itself did not do more to strengthen Ukraine earlier.
It would have been easy to strengthen Ukraine militarily. Instead, we quibbled about whether we should provide them with sniper rifles, says the NATO chief.
Must engage in dialogue
Stoltenberg still believes in dialogue to reach a solution to the war, alongside defense and deterrent measures. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine, he describes the negotiating space as increasingly limited – "almost non-existent" compared to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea.
One thing is clear: To end the war, we must eventually engage in dialogue with Russia. But it must be based on Ukrainian strength, he says.
On October 1, Stoltenberg will hand over to Dutchman Mark Rutte after ten years at NATO's top post.
