NATO General: Peace in Ukraine Only Possible If Russia Abandons Imperial Ambitions
NATO Brigadier General Jay Jenzens stated that peace in Ukraine is unattainable as long as Russia does not give up its strategic goals and find an alternative. He emphasized that the idea of an empire is costly and Russia should focus on rebuilding its own country.
During the "Stratcom Dialogue 2026" conference, Brigadier General Jay Jenzens, the director of strategic communications at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), told LETA that Russia must fully understand that its strategy is unattainable and must devise an alternative. Only then, he believes, progress toward peace is possible. Until then, NATO and its allies must continue supporting Ukraine and remain united.
The general stressed that every citizen of NATO countries must realize that Ukraine's future affects everyone, so support for Ukraine must continue. Regarding Baltic concerns that thousands of Russian soldiers could be redeployed after a peace agreement, Jenzens suggested that Russia should use those forces to rebuild its own country and improve life for its people.
"Russia must abandon the idea of an empire because it is costly – in lives, money, and reputation. Focus on your own country and leave the rest of us alone," the general said.
Jenzens also addressed strategic communication challenges, acknowledging that democratic countries with high freedom of speech and press are particularly vulnerable to information warfare. Russia exploits these democratic values as targets. NATO responds by strengthening resilience, but completely preventing attacks is impossible.
He noted that NATO governments and institutions must develop their own narratives, not merely react to what the adversary says. The general criticized the slow pace of investment in people and capabilities in communications: while tanks and air defense systems are procured quickly, strategic communication specialists and tools receive far less attention. "If we want to succeed, we must invest as much as in other areas," Jenzens emphasized.
Asked about influence operations in hostile countries, the general admitted that NATO has traditionally avoided such activities, but it is increasingly clear that some engagement is necessary. However, it must be done in compliance with international law and ethics, unlike Russia. For example, making Russians understand that an attack on NATO is futile is ethical and achievable. Completely changing the views of the Russian people is unrealistic, so efforts should focus on practical, realistic steps.
