NATO secretary general: strong alliance needed to secure better ties with Russia

BRUSSELS – Only a strong Western security alliance can negotiate better ties with Russia, NATO’s new secretary general said Tuesday.

Jens Stoltenberg said his experience as Norway’s prime minister was that robust defence capabilities and a solid trans-Atlantic bond were fundamental requirements in order to bring about constructive relations with Russia.

In his first policy speech since taking office Oct. 1, Stoltenberg said there was no contradiction between wanting to keep NATO strong and continuing efforts to engage with the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“NATO is here to stay. Russia is here to stay. So we’re going to have some kind of relationship,” Stoltenberg said. “(The question is) what kind?”

Norway’s status as a member of the U.S.-led defence alliance, Stoltenberg said, meant his small nation has been able to deal confidently with the Kremlin on a whole range of issues, from military matters and fisheries to energy, the environment and maritime border disputes.

“I believe there is a lesson here for us now,” the former two-time Norwegian prime minister said. “That only a strong NATO can build a truly constructive and co-operative relationship with Russia.”

“But to get there, Russia would need to want it, and to take clear steps to make it possible,” he added.

Stoltenberg also said he has been in contact with the United Nations to see if there is any “specific” role NATO could play in helping combat the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa.

He noted that some of the alliance’s 28 nations, including the United States and Britain, have already sent military forces to West Africa but said it was “too early” to say whether NATO itself should take part.