Jens Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed confidence that the dialogue with Moscow must be supported by “hard predictable approach” and “credible deterrence”. This opinion was expressed on Thursday, February 16, during a press conference in Brussels, reports TASS.
“We must combine dialogue with credible deterrence. This is the lesson that we bring (…) It worked during the cold war against the Soviet Union, is the right strategy in dealing with Russia in a completely new environment in today’s security”, — said the NATO Secretary General.
Earlier, Stoltenberg has repeatedly stated that NATO does not want cold war with Russia, but also stressed that Moscow can maintain good neighborly relations, “if you are strong, solid and predictable.”
On 15 February, the U.S. defense Secretary James Mattis said that negotiations with Russia must lead from a position of strength. In his opinion, the Alliance should be ready to protect ourselves if the Kremlin “wants to act contrary to international law”.
In response to these words of the Minister of defence of Russia Sergey Shoigu demanded that the us side clarification. He also added that negotiations with Moscow from a position of strength is futile.