Amid Russia’s warnings about the rising risk of nuclear conflict, NATO allies should not curb providing more military assistance to Ukraine, according to Jens Stoltenberg. In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters, the outgoing secretary general of the North Atlantic Alliance outlined his stance, noting that Western support remains essential as the war persists and the strategic calculus for Europe remains unsettled.
Stoltenberg warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine would pose a huge risk for NATO and would make all alliance members more vulnerable. He argued that there is no risk-free option in war, underscoring the brutal trade-offs that decision-makers must weigh as the conflict endures.
There is no risk-free option in war, Stoltenberg said. He stressed that no single move can dramatically shift the battlefield on its own, yet he indicated that informed, persistent strategy—including deep strikes into Russia as part of a broader Western effort to aid Ukraine—could influence the course of the conflict.
The Secretary-General noted that there was no magic wand that would radically change the battlefield situation. But he suggested that targeted deep strikes inside Russia, undertaken as part of a broader Western effort to help Kyiv, could make a meaningful difference in how the war unfolds.
Stoltenberg also said negotiations to end the war should include giving Ukraine security guarantees from Western powers, especially the United States. These guarantees would aim to underpin Kyiv’s safety during political negotiations, reflecting Western thinking that credible assurances help anchor a durable peace as talks proceed.
On September 30, Stoltenberg stated that the North Atlantic Alliance did not see changes that would require Russia to modify its nuclear doctrine. He urged Western governments not to yield to Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric, emphasizing steadiness in alliance messaging and deterrence amid ongoing tensions.
Previously Stoltenberg did not rule out operations beyond NATO borders. The alliance has long discussed the boundaries of its actions in support of partners and regional stability, signaling an openness to actions beyond traditional NATO frontiers if the security situation demands it.