NATO Secretary General: "We Must Prepare for a Prolonged War in Ukraine"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), emphasized that the Russia-Ukraine war could continue for several years and that preparations for a long-term conflict are necessary.

In an interview with AFP released on the 16th (local time), ahead of the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, Secretary General Stoltenberg stated, "Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a 'different Europe' than before, one that can control neighboring countries."

Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, he cautioned against predicting how long the confrontation between the West and Russia will last, saying, "We have already witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 9/11 attacks."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year, NATO has refrained from direct involvement in the war due to concerns about escalation, instead maintaining indirect involvement by providing military support to Ukraine.

Secretary General Stoltenberg said the outbreak of the war was already anticipated. He recalled that on the night before Russia invaded Ukraine, "I went to bed knowing that someone would wake me up within a few hours," and added, "Around 4 a.m., I received a report from my staff that Russia's invasion had begun, but I was not surprised." He further explained, "Many people around the world hoped that Russia would not launch a full-scale attack, but I predicted that Putin would move because it had been anticipated for months before Russia invaded."

Some critics argue that after Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, NATO should have made greater efforts in advance to prevent Russian aggression, such as by strengthening Ukraine's military preparedness. Regarding this view, he dismissed it by saying, "This war is President Putin's choice, and the responsibility for the war lies with the decision-makers in Moscow. We can analyze, discuss, and consider various other decisions, but that does not absolve President Putin of the responsibility he bears for the war."

Additionally, he stated, "What we have learned since Russia's full-scale invasion last year is the value of unity between North America and Europe and the importance of defense investments made over the past several years to strengthen readiness," emphasizing the validity and significance of NATO's existence. He also reaffirmed NATO's position by saying, "The 30 allied member countries remain unwavering in their efforts for Ukraine's victory," expressing confidence that Ukraine can win and that military support will continue.

Secretary General Stoltenberg is expected to attend the Munich Security Conference on the 17th and 18th to appeal for continued support for Ukraine and international cooperation.