Norwegian Finance Minister and former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called on alliance partners to demonstrate greater unity ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. Speaking to Welt, he expressed the hope that the summit would send a “strong sign of unity” through the alliance. Despite existing differences, Stoltenberg stressed that the members must be able to collaborate against the “most important threats and challenges.”
He acknowledged that “serious disagreements” exist among NATO partners, citing the dispute over Greenland as one example. Nevertheless, he remains confident that NATO can maintain its status as a “strong transatlantic alliance.” Stoltenberg emphasized the strategic importance of a robust NATO from the American perspective, arguing that “it is in the national security interest of the United States to have a strong NATO,” adding that “U.S. defense begins at the European-Russian border.”
However, Stoltenberg also supported the position taken by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the need for revised burden-sharing within the alliance. According to Stoltenberg, “the most important thing Europe can do to maintain the transatlantic alliance and secure U.S. commitment, even under President Trump, is to invest more.”
Stoltenberg’s background includes serving as NATO Secretary-General from 2014 to 2024, as well as holding the position of Prime Minister of Norway. He has been Norway’s Finance Minister since February 2025.
