NATO is preparing for the worst after the dialogue with Russia

 

 Relations between Russia and the West are "worse than ever": 100,000 Russian troops are stationed near the border with Ukraine and "not only Kiev is afraid of invasion," writes Der Spiegel. Speaking to the magazine in collaboration with the Koerber Foundation, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed: "There is a real danger."

Stoltenberg expressed concern about the "seriousness of the situation". According to him, in addition to the deployment of troops near the border, Russian intelligence is very active in Ukraine. Moscow is "trying to discredit the Ukrainian government in various ways," the NATO secretary general said.

 In the event of an escalation in Europe, the North Atlantic Alliance is ready to bring a large number of troops into combat readiness in a short period of time. However, Stoltenberg said, we need to continue to rely on dialogue. "We do not want to wage war, we want to prevent it," the NATO secretary general said.

At the same time, Stoltenberg suggests, the military alliance "must prepare for the worst." Russia is able to influence Ukraine in many ways: launch a missile strike, launch a cyber attack or organize small-scale events in Crimea. "We have to be ready to react to other scenarios, not just a major offensive operation," Stoltenberg said.

 Russia's ultimatum to NATO expires this week: Moscow is demanding, among other things, assurances that Ukraine will not be admitted to the military alliance. Stoltenberg said he was ready to meet with Russia and present his proposals. According to him, "everything" can be discussed, but no one "will compromise with the basic principles of the Alliance."

These include the right to defend one's allies and the "right of states to self-determination". Stoltenberg believes that Russia should not dictate to Ukraine which alliances to join. "The principle of self-determination of peoples is inherent in every nation," he said. According to politics, Russia's demands apply not only to Ukraine, but also to Sweden and Finland.

At a joint press conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said he had invited Russia to attend a series of meetings within the Russia-NATO Council. NATO partners are ready to make concrete proposals, the Norwegian said. According to him, the subject of negotiations could be reducing risks during hostilities, greater transparency and improving communication channels. He also mentioned arms control, disarmament and the "Ukrainian conflict" as additional topics.

 On the issue of the common position of NATO countries, Stoltenberg said that in an alliance with 30 members there are always disagreements. "This is not a weakness, this is a strength - as long as we agree to defend each other," Stoltenberg said in an interview with the Körber Foundation and Der Spiegel.