Stoltenberg: NATO Should have done more to stop the war in Ukraine, FAS Notes
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced regret at NATO's handling of Ukraine prior to Russia's 2022 invasion in an interview with the German weekly newspaper FAS, implying that more might have been done to arm Ukraine and perhaps prevent the war.
"We now provide military aid for a war, but we could have supplied arms earlier to prevent the war," said Stoltenberg. He underlined NATO's reluctance to provide Ukraine with sought-after weapons prior to the invasion because of worries about rising relations with Russia.
Kyiv, not a NATO member, has had a consistent supply of weapons from her allies following early delays since the start of the war.
Leading NATO since 2014, Stoltenberg underlined that negotiations will ultimately help to bring the fighting in Ukraine to an end. He will be leaving in October. "At some point, conversation with Russia will be necessary to end this conflict, but it must be based on Ukrainian strength," he stated.
Regarding his future intentions, Stoltenberg refused to confirm reports that he would succeed Christoph Heusgen as chair of the Munich Security Conference. He said he "has many options" and intends to go back to Oslo following the completion of his NATO term.
