Stoltenberg: US Still Heavily Dependent on European Allies

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, now Norway's finance minister, has stated that the United States remains heavily dependent on its European allies, regardless of Washington's rhetoric. In an interview with German newspaper "Die Welt," Stoltenberg emphasized that US defense begins at the border of Europe and Russia.

He pointed out that one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals is located on Russia's Kola Peninsula, just across Norway's border. These weapons, he said, are not aimed at Oslo but at Washington and New York. Stoltenberg noted that Norway helps track Russian submarines when they leave their bases and provides early warnings of missile and aircraft launches. Similar situations exist in Finland and many other European countries, which he described as crucial for US security.

Stoltenberg acknowledged differences between the US and Europe on trade, climate, and security issues. However, he stressed that the most important thing Europe can do to preserve NATO is to invest more in defense. According to him, Europe is already doing that – Germany is on track to become the largest European investor in defense.