BRUSSELS: Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday warned the United States and Europe against the dangers of “isolationism” in his parting speech, as former president Donald Trump vies to return to the White House.
In his final address as NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg said, “We have heard voices on both sides of the Atlantic calling for America and Europe to part ways”.
Stoltenberg cautioned that prioritizing short-term national interests over long-term collaboration would be detrimental, asserting, “Isolationism will not keep anyone safe.”
Stoltenberg’s comments reflect apprehension among NATO members regarding Trump’s past criticisms of the alliance, particularly his suggestion that the US might withdraw protection from NATO countries that fail to meet defense spending commitments.
During his tenure, Stoltenberg oversaw a significant increase in military expenditures among European members, largely spurred by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO countries must further increase their defense spending to address the persistent threat from Moscow. He noted that while 23 of NATO’s 32 nations are projected to meet the alliance’s target of 2% of GDP on defense this year, “this is no longer enough to keep us safe.”
Highlighting the importance of military support for Ukraine, Stoltenberg stated that any future peace negotiations must be underpinned by “strong and sustained military support,” warning against agreements that lack enforcement. He acknowledged that NATO could have acted more decisively in supporting Ukraine before the invasion.
With NATO’s relations with Russia severed following the invasion, Stoltenberg said that dialogue on arms control could be necessary in the future, but insisted that such discussions must be backed by robust defenses. He emphasized that NATO allies should not compromise their security in dealings with adversaries like Russia and China.
