NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged Europe to ramp up its arms production to support Ukraine amid its ongoing crisis and to prepare for any potential confrontations.
In an interview with German media on Saturday, Stoltenberg emphasized the need for a faster reshaping and expansion of the industrial base to increase supplies to Ukraine and replenish their own stockpiles.
Speaking to the German newspaper “Welt am Sonntag” in its Sunday edition, he highlighted the shift required from peacetime’s slow production to a rapid manufacturing pace.
Ahead of a crucial meeting of the alliance’s defense ministers in Brussels and the second anniversary of the Ukrainian crisis, Stoltenberg reassured that there is no immediate military threat against any NATO ally.
However, he remarked that the crisis in Ukraine, which started about two years ago, has shown that peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted, underscoring the importance of protecting NATO member states.
Stoltenberg stated, “As long as we invest in our security and remain united, we will continue to deter any aggression.”
He clarified that NATO does not seek war with Russia but must prepare for decades of potential confrontation. The NATO Secretary-General concluded by asserting that supporting Ukraine now and investing in NATO capabilities is our best defense.
