NATO General Secretary is not concerned over possible cooperation between Russia and the US
On the 15th of November, the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, stated that Russia’s annexation of the Crimea is still one of the main stumbling blocks in their relations with Moscow.
“We will never accept any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” he said.
When asked for his thoughts on a telephone conversation between newly elected US president, Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin held on the 14th of November, Stoltenberg responded that there is no need to worry.
“First of all, I think it’s quite normal that the future US president, Donald Trump, will communicate with the world leaders, including Putin,” he said.
He stressed that NATO is seeking to have discussions with the Russian Federation. “This is especially important at this time of great tension where we face various problems in the security sphere,” Stoltenberg said this before a meeting of the EU Defense Ministers in Brussels.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has expressed concern over Russia’s military operations in eastern Ukraine and in Syria.
“It is important to remember our principles,” she said, describing the annexation of the Crimea as an “open question”.
“We should not forget that the Russian Federation bears humanitarian responsibility for the situation in Aleppo where 250,000 people are under the threat of starvation,” she added
The Government of Germany and other EU countries are concerned about the fate of America’s NATO membership after Trump’s election. During the electoral campaign, Trump stated that Washington can refuse the protection of members of the Alliance who haven’t paid their contributions. He also said that he could recognize the Crimea as part of Russia’s territory.
While in Brussels, Stoltenberg expressed confidence that under Trump, the US will fulfill all obligations to NATO “as a strong NATO is important for both Europe and the United States”.