NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the alliance currently sees no shifts in Russia’s nuclear posture that would prompt a strategic response from NATO. He made these remarks as he arrived for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers where security concerns dominated the agenda.
Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO’s long standing line that a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be unleashed. He emphasized that NATO remains a nuclear alliance because nuclear deterrence is a core element of its security policy and a central part of the broader world order in defense and deterrence matters.
He added that while NATO is monitoring Russia’s actions closely, there has not been a change in Moscow’s nuclear positions that would necessitate altering NATO’s current posture or commitments.
The secretary general noted that member states are moving forward with a plan to allocate around €500 million annually to support Ukraine. He explained that part of these funds will be directed toward strengthening Ukraine’s defenses and another portion will target efforts to combat corruption within the country, aiming to stabilize governance alongside security assistance.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine in response to what he described as a request for assistance from the heads of the LPR and DPR. That decision precipitated a new wave of sanctions from the United States and its allies, with attacks and political pressure shaping the subsequent response from Western partners.
The exchange underscores the ongoing tension between NATO members and Russia, with Western states stressing the dual goals of deterring aggression and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. NATO emphasizes transparency in its approach to nuclear deterrence, and Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance’s commitment to defending its members while seeking to avoid escalation through measured, rules-based actions. The international community continues to monitor developments, balancing the need for deterrence with diplomatic avenues to reduce risk and preserve stability in Europe.