On Strategic Concept, Secretary General stated: The new document, which NATO leaders will endorse at the Madrid Summit in June 2022, will set out how NATO will deal with a more unpredictable and competitive world. In his speech, Mr. Stoltenberg outlined five elements that should be at the heart of the next Strategic Concept:

  • protecting our values,
  • reinforcing our military power,
  • strengthening our societies,
  • taking a global outlook, and
  • building NATO as the institutional link between Europe and North America.

Read the Secretary General's speech here

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday (30 November 2021) called on Moscow to be transparent, de-escalate and reduce tensions, following Russia's military build-up near Ukraine.

''Any future Russian aggression against Ukraine would come at a high price and have serious political and economic consequences for Russia,'' Mr Stoltenberg said, following the first day of a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Riga. The Secretary General said ministers also addressed Belarus' hybrid campaign against Allies, as well as NATO’s leading role in arms control. 

Read the Secretary General's remarks here.

Meeting in Riga on Wednesday (1 December 2021), NATO Foreign Ministers discussed the lessons learned from the Alliance's engagement in Afghanistan over almost two decades. Following the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and forces in August, a comprehensive political and military assessment was conducted over the autumn, with the active involvement of Allies and experts.

The assessment found that NATO’s engagement in Afghanistan demonstrated immense capacity and military capabilities, and that in an increasingly complex security environment, crisis management should remain a core task for NATO. It also concluded that the international community’s level of ambition in Afghanistan extended far beyond degrading terrorist safe havens, and that in future, Allies should continuously assess strategic interests, set achievable goals, and remain aware of the dangers of mission expansion. The assessment makes a number of other recommendations, including on maintaining interoperability with operational partners; considering the political and cultural norms of host nations, as well as their ability to absorb capacity-building and training; and ensuring timely reporting and meaningful consultations. It also suggests that NATO should consider how to strengthen its capabilities to conduct short-notice, large-scale evacuation operations in the future. 
The assessment's key conclusions and recommendations are intended to inform NATO’s political and military leaders as they consider and direct future crisis management operations. 

 

NATO Secretary General discusses Russia's military buildup near Ukraine

Speaking at the Reuters Next conference on Wednesday (1 December 2021), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shared his views on the current security situation following a two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers in Riga.

On Russia’s build-up near Ukraine, the Secretary General stressed that ''we all made it very clear that there will be a high price to pay'' for any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

On NATO's presence in the Black Sea, Mr Stoltenberg emphasized that ''NATO is a defensive Alliance, NATO is operating in international waters and everything we do is in line with our international obligations and we are transparent''.

On Belarus’ hybrid campaign against Allies, the Secretary General said that ''NATO and the EU are working very closely on addressing the unacceptable behavior of the Lukashenko regime.''

Read NATO Secretary General's full keynote interview.