NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance has to prepare for a long war in Ukraine and insisted that member countries have to increase their defense spending and recalled spending levels during the Cold War.
“Most wars last longer than you think when they start. That’s why we must prepare for a long war in Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said in statements to the media of the German group Funke.
Stoltenberg said that although a quick peace would be desirable, it must be remembered that “if the Ukrainians stopped fighting, Ukraine would cease to exist.” Peace, according to Stoltenberg, will only come when Russian President Vladimir Putin stops attacking Ukraine.
After peace, according to Stoltenberg, Ukraine will need security guarantees and “there is no doubt” that the country will be part of NATO.
On the other hand, Stoltenberg insisted on the need to increase military spending and meet the goal of dedicating at least 2% of GDP to what Germany has not yet reached although, according to him, it is “on the right track.”
“In times of the Cold War, when Willy Brandt or Konrad Adenauer governed, defense spending was around 4% of GDP. We achieved it then and we have to achieve it now,” he said.
“For NATO it is important that the most populous European member country meets the goal. 2% of a large pie is more than 2% of a small pie,” he added.
Stoltenberg said that having been Norwegian Prime Minister he knows how difficult it is to increase defense spending when large outlays also need to be made on health or infrastructure projects, but he added that it is necessary when tensions increase.
