“NATO and the transatlantic alliance are a guarantor of German and European security,” Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed on Tuesday after talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin. With regard to the situation in Ukraine, the Federal Chancellor said that stability, peace and security in Europe could not be taken for granted.

Scholz expects Russia to de-escalate the situation by cutting back troops on the Ukrainian border, for example. “We’re prepared to engage in serious dialogue with Russia on security issues in Europe,” he stressed, saying that the aim was “to prepare a comprehensive solution for the future”. This includes talks under the Normandy format, in the NATO-Russia Council and within the OSCE, as well as bilateral talks between the USA and Russia. All paths must be pursued.

“We want constructive and stable relations with Russia,” said Scholz. At the same time, he recalled the principles and commitments to which Russia itself had subscribed under the OSCE. The Federal Chancellor stressed that Russian aggression would have very severe economic, political and financial consequences for Russia.

Preparation of the NATO summit in Madrid

At their meeting in the Chancellery, Scholz and Stoltenberg also discussed preparations for the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022, where NATO’s strategic concept is due to be renewed and strategic adjustments are to be discussed. 

The Federal Chancellor thanked the NATO Secretary General for his personal commitment to deepening cooperation between NATO and the European Union. “I see a great sense of unity and strong cohesion in our transatlantic family,” said Scholz.