Stoltenberg: Nato does not expect major Russian breakthroughs
We have no signs or reasons to believe that Russia has the capabilities or the strength to make major breakthroughs, said Stoltenberg further. In the Alliance's assessment, Moscow will continue to increase pressure on Ukraine and continue its air strikes. However, the Ukrainians have so far been able to "hold the frontline," emphasized the Norwegian. They have inflicted "further heavy losses" on the Russian attackers, both at the front and through low-altitude air strikes.
Stoltenberg expressed confidence that the US will remain a "strong NATO ally," as this is "in the security interest of the United States." This holds true "regardless of the outcome of the US elections" at the beginning of November. The former US President Donald Trump has challenged President Joe Biden to a debate.
Trump had previously caused unease among allies in Europe by threatening to withdraw support if they did not contribute enough to defense. He would even encourage the Russians to deal with them "whatever they want," Trump said.
"Trump's criticism was not primarily directed at NATO," said Stoltenberg in response. "It was directed at NATO allies who did not contribute enough, and that has now changed," emphasized the Norwegian. According to the latest alliance statement, 23 of the 32 member countries now meet the requirement of contributing two percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense. Among them is Germany with around 2.1 percent.
Stoltenberg also called on all allies not to harbor any doubts about the NATO's pledge of mutual defense. "Article Five should never be called into question, because that is the core responsibility of NATO," urged the 65-year-old.
Stoltenberg will pass on the post of NATO Secretary General to the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on October 1. Stoltenberg then looks back on ten years at the helm of the Alliance.
- Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, mentioned in Brussels that Russia lacks the capacity for major breakthroughs, according to his assessment.
- Stoltenberg predicted that Russia will persistently exert pressure on Ukraine and continue its aerial assaults, as per the Alliance's evaluation.
- Stoltenberg expressed optimism that the USA will maintain its role as a robust NATO ally, considering it to be in line with their security interests.
- Despite the upcoming US elections in November, Stoltenberg remains confident in the USA's commitment to NATO, affirming that this holds true regardless of the election outcome.
- Stoltenberg responded to Trump's past criticism directed at NATO allies for not contributing enough to defense, stating that he aimed his critique at specific countries and not NATO itself.
- As a result of intensified efforts, 23 out of the 32 NATO member nations now adhere to the two-percent defense contribution requirement, including Germany (around 2.1 percent).
- In his tenure as NATO Secretary General, Stoltenberg will hand over his position to the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in October, marking the conclusion of a decade of leadership for the Alliance.
