The war in Ukraine is in its tenth month. A war NATO has been working to prevent since Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. This week, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was at Lindmo. There he describes what it is like to be head of NATO in one of Europe’s biggest crises in recent times. – I feel very serious, and that it is a fateful time for Europe, and thus also Norway, he says. – If things go wrong, they can go horribly wrong, he underlines. Peace no consequence Jens Stoltenberg is not unfamiliar with how war works and affects people. His grandfather took part in World War II, and his father Thorvald Stoltenberg was a diplomat, minister of defense and minister of foreign affairs. – Growing up, we learned that peace is not a given. In addition, we learned to believe in human contact, and how important it is to talk to each other, says Stoltenberg. The diplomatic tools have been important in his role as NATO chief. – Putin had made up his mind Just a few days before Russia invaded Ukraine, he sat face to face with Putin in Brussels. Proposals were put forward to prevent a possible war. – It was important to argue that Russia would also lose if there was a war. An invasion is a violation of all international rules. And it was important to convey that NATO would support Ukraine. Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference in Rome in November. Photo: Roberto Monaldo / AP But the negotiations did not lead. – At some point, conversations are useless. Putin had decided to use force and power. What helps is supporting Ukraine militarily. Only a strong Ukraine leads to peace, says the NATO chief. Putin has replaced Stoltenberg and Putin have been close to each other since the beginning of the 2000s. At the time, Stoltenberg was newly elected prime minister, and Putin had just become president of Russia. At first the tone was conciliatory, but gradually it hardened. – When he was newly elected president in 2000, he was an applicant and wanted cooperation with the West. The later Putin is much more aggressive, and tells stories that are not true. Jens Stoltenberg talks about how that tone with Putin hardened over the years as president. Stoltenberg believes Putin has misjudged Ukraine. – He has believed that he can achieve what he wants through military force and a brutality we have not seen since the Second World War. They have deliberately hit civilians by cutting water supplies and attacking non-military targets. It is extremely brutal warfare. – I don’t think he will be able to break Ukraine. On the contrary, he is mobilizing even more support for Ukraine, adds Stoltenberg. Dangerous for us Earlier this year, he gave a speech in the EU Parliament. There he emphasized how important it is for Europe that Putin does not win Ukraine. – I think it is extremely dangerous to underestimate what we are facing. We are facing a test of whether freedom can stand up to authoritarian regimes. – I understand those who think that food prices and electricity bills are too high. It is a painful price we in Europe pay. But there will be a much higher price to pay if our freedom is threatened by Putin winning Ukraine. Fears major war When asked what he fears most this winter, he replies: – I fear that the war in Ukraine will get out of control, and spread into a major war between NATO and Russia. He is nevertheless confident that it can be avoided because Nato has increased its presence in the east of the alliance. According to Stoltenberg, there is no room for Putin to doubt NATO’s ability to defend NATO countries. – He knows it’s one for all, and all for one. NATO’s most important task is to prevent full-scale war in Europe, and that is something we work on every single day. – What gives you hope?, asks Anne Lindmo. – The world has moved forward for decade after decade. NATO is stronger than it has been in many years. Not least, Putin has underestimated our ability to protect and defend each other. As long as we do that, we are safe, Stoltenberg concludes. See Lindmo on Friday at 22.10 on news 1 or whenever you want on news TV.
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