NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern during an interview Friday that the war in Ukraine could widen into a conflict between Russia and NATO.
“It is a terrible war in Ukraine. It is also a war that can become a full-fledged war that spreads into a major war between NATO and Russia,” Secretary General Stoltenberg said, according to The Associated Press. The NATO chief and former prime minister of Norway emphasized that NATO is working “every day” to prevent a conflict between NATO and Moscow. (RELATED: NATO Commits To Future Membership For Ukraine)
“If things go wrong, they can go horribly wrong,” Stoltenberg told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. In remarks made Wednesday, the NATO chief also encouraged member nations to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine, noting Russia’s preparations for a spring offensive, the Financial Times reported.
Stoltenberg’s comments come as the Kremlin ramps up its anti-Western rhetoric, according to AP.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference following the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, December 9, 2022. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylyov/Pool via REUTERS
“Speaking about a disarming strike, maybe it’s worth thinking about adopting the ideas developed by our U.S. counterparts, their ideas of ensuring their security,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday, according to ABC News.
Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the conditions for peace in Ukraine are “not there yet” and that negotiation can only take place on Ukraine’s terms and timing.