Ex-NATO chief calls for peace-focused dialogue with Moscow

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Spiegel that engaging in dialogue with Russia should focus primarily on ending the war in Ukraine, following an approach similar to that of the United States.

Stoltenberg emphasised the need to develop a new arms control framework, noting that the previous system, which dated back to the Cold War, is no longer in force.

He added that discussions with Russia should be conducted “as with a neighbouring state,” while stressing that Western countries must maintain pressure until Moscow accepts peace terms that are “acceptable for Ukraine.”

He also argued that Russia is paying “a high price” for its military operations in Ukraine and, as long as the conflict continues, is not in a position to threaten NATO member states.

“As long as the war in Ukraine continues, it [Russia] has more than enough to deal with there. More than 80 per cent of the Russian army is deployed there. If we look at the Norwegian–Russian border, we can see that many troops were redeployed from the Kola Peninsula to Ukraine. But when the war ends — and we hope that happens soon — these forces will be moved closer to NATO’s borders,” Stoltenberg said.

He reiterated that once the war concludes, Russian units shifted to Ukraine are likely to return to positions nearer to NATO territory.

By Tamilla Hasanova