– He has a great ability to stick to his message, and I believe that is a strength, says former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about Donald Trump, to NRK on Dagsrevyen this evening.
Stoltenberg congratulated Donald Trump today on his victory in the presidential election, and received a response.
– Yes, he thanked for the support, or for the congratulations. It is an important way to establish contact from all Europeans to see how to make it go as well as possible, even though there is political disagreement between him and many European governments, says Stoltenberg.
Photo: Screenshot from X
– Many are now worried about NATO’s future with Trump. Is there reason for concern?
– We have no guarantees in democracies, and there will be some noise and some statements that people will question, but fundamentally I believe the USA, even with the new president, will be a strong NATO ally, says Stoltenberg.
Former NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, met Donald Trump several times during his first term as President of the USA.
Stoltenberg has received a lot of praise for the way he has handled contact with Donald Trump.
After serving as NATO chief for ten years, he will now become the chairman of the Munich Security Conference.
– I don’t know exactly how, but in my new job as chair and leader of the Munich Security Conference, I will have some dealings with the American organization, says Stoltenberg.
The press is still interested in what Jens Stoltenberg thinks about NATO’s future, even though he is no longer the head of the defense alliance.
He has faith that things can go well with Trump as president.
– It’s about engaging and not creating self-fulfilling prophecies, says Stoltenberg.
He believes Trump’s main strength is that he stands firm on his message.
– He says the same things over and over again, and I believe that is a strengthening of political debate, says Stoltenberg.
Jens Stoltenberg received praise for how he handled Donald Trump when he was president for the first time.
During his first term as president, Donald Trump threatened to withdraw the USA from NATO.
Stoltenberg, however, believes he will stand by the defense alliance and says there are three reasons for this.
– It is in the USA’s interest to have a strong NATO. The USA becomes stronger with more than 30 friends, says Stoltenberg.
Additionally, there is broad, cross-political support for NATO in the USA, even in the new Congress.
– The third reason is that his criticism is not against NATO, but against allies who have not paid enough for NATO, says Stoltenberg.
Trump has been upset that Americans paid a lot, while Europeans paid far too little.
– That has changed dramatically. So I believe he is not satisfied with 2 percent. There will be demands for even more, but it is a much better starting point than we had in 2016, says Stoltenberg.
Ten years as Secretary General of NATO are over, but Jens Stoltenberg will likely also meet representatives from the American government in his new job.
Ukraine
Donald Trump has said it would take him one day to end the war in Ukraine.
– What do you think he has in mind?
– That no one can say with certainty. It is important that European allies take their time regarding the war in Ukraine with the new administration in the USA, says Stoltenberg.
He feels it is especially important because the war does not only concern Ukraine.
– North Korea sends soldiers, Iran sends drones and weapons, and China is the world power that is most important for the Russian war effort in keeping the Russian war economy afloat, says Stoltenberg.
He explains that when he worked with Trump in his first presidential term, it was precisely Trump who decided to provide American military support to Ukraine.
– The picture is a bit complicated, and it’s too early to say what he actually intends to do.
Both Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg showed up at NRK Dagsrevyen to comment on the US presidential election.
Crucial support
Stoltenberg believes it is crucial that the USA maintains support for Ukraine, but if it were to decrease, it is possible for the European countries to ramp up support.
– Everyone wants this war to end. The problem is that the fastest way to end a war is to lose the war.
– If Ukraine loses the war, there will be no peace, there will be occupation. So the challenge is to convince President Putin that he cannot win. And military support to Ukraine must be the way there, says Stoltenberg.
Published
06.11.2024, at 19.06
Updated
06.11.2024, at 20.34
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Jens Stoltenberg
Editor: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to this special interview on Time.news. Today, we’re honored to have Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and now the chairman of the Munich Security Conference. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg: Thank you for having me.
Editor: You recently congratulated Donald Trump on his presidential victory, and in your remarks, you mentioned his unique ability to stick to his message. Can you elaborate on why you see this as a strength?
Stoltenberg: Absolutely. A consistent message can foster stability and predictability in politics. Even when there are disagreements—especially with European leaders—Trump’s steadfastness can help to create a dialogue. It establishes a foundation for contact and cooperation moving forward.
Editor: There’s a lot of speculation about NATO’s future with Trump back in power. Do you think there are reasons for concern regarding the alliance?
Stoltenberg: While democracies are inherently unpredictable, I believe that fundamentally, the United States will remain a strong NATO ally. The core interests of the U.S. don’t change with administrations. NATO’s strength is beneficial for the U.S., and there is a broad political consensus in favor of NATO in Washington.
Editor: You’ve mentioned before that Trump’s criticism of NATO allies stems from a desire for them to contribute more financially. Has there been any progress towards addressing his concerns?
Stoltenberg: Indeed, since 2016, we’ve seen a significant change in defense spending among NATO allies. The expectation now is that countries that are underperforming in their commitments to NATO spending will continue to increase their contributions. This creates a much better starting point for dialogue than what we had before.
Editor: Last week, Trump claimed he could end the war in Ukraine in just one day. What are your thoughts on this bold statement?
Stoltenberg: That’s a complex issue. Ending a war involves navigating numerous diplomatic channels, and it’s not something that can be achieved overnight. While it’s essential to engage with new U.S. administrations on matters like Ukraine, we must also remain realistic about the challenges ahead. The war not only affects Ukraine but has broader implications for European security.
Editor: As you transition to your new role with the Munich Security Conference, how do you see your responsibilities evolving in terms of U.S. relations and NATO?
Stoltenberg: My goal is to facilitate constructive discussions on security issues, including those involving the U.S. I believe that engagement—rather than fear or speculation—can help us navigate changes and promote stability within the alliance.
Editor: What would you say to those who fear a fragmented NATO under Trump’s leadership?
Stoltenberg: Engaging in dialogue is crucial. The biggest risk is creating self-fulfilling prophecies through pessimism or disengagement. We must strive to establish strong lines of communication and cooperation, ensuring that NATO remains a platform for robust collective defense.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Stoltenberg, for sharing your insights with us today. Your experience as NATO Secretary General and now at the Munich Security Conference will surely play a crucial role in shaping the future of transatlantic relations.
Stoltenberg: Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to contributing to the ongoing conversation about security in Europe and beyond.