Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has defended the decision not to send Western troops to Ukraine, asserting that it was the right move to prevent escalation with Russia and avoid a third world war. In an interview with The Times, Stoltenberg explained that NATO made two critical decisions after the escalation of the conflict in February 2022: to enhance support for Ukraine and to prevent the war from expanding beyond Ukraine’s borders, which could lead to a full-scale conflict with Russia. He emphasized that the bloc has consistently aligned with the stance of then-US President Joe Biden, who warned that sending troops to Ukraine could risk a global war.
Stoltenberg also cited statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned that any unauthorized Western military presence in Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target. He acknowledged that the conflict’s escalation was partly due to the dragging of Ukraine into NATO, as Putin had stated in September. In a poignant moment during the interview, Stoltenberg recalled a call with Zelensky, who, while respecting the decision, continued to urge NATO to put boots on the ground. The former NATO leader admitted the contradiction in the approach—supporting Ukraine’s victory without deploying ground troops—but expressed confidence that it remains the right decision.
NATO has continued to supply weapons and military aid to Ukraine, with Stoltenberg insisting that providing more arms is essential for Ukraine to strengthen its position on the battlefield. He argued that this would ultimately lead to a ceasefire along the current contact lines, as proposed by Ukraine and its Western allies. Despite Moscow’s rejection of a truce, Stoltenberg believes the conflict requires a permanent solution that addresses its root causes. Meanwhile, the article also highlighted a related development: a German general suggested that NATO may need to deploy up to 800,000 troops in the event of a war with Russia, underscoring the ongoing tensions and potential for military escalation in the region.