NATO Secretary General at Exercise Cold Response 2022 in Norway 🇳🇴, 25 MAR 2022

Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Bardufoss, Norway for Exercise Cold Response 2022, 25 March 2022.

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:

Good morning,

It is great to be back in Bardufoss.
And to meet forces taking part in Cold Response exercise.

A week ago, four US Marines lost their lives in a tragic plane crash.
Let me start by expressing my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.
And to all their fellow soldiers who stand together to defend NATO territory.

I want to thank Norway for leading this important exercise.
Cold Response shows NATO unity and strength in action.

There are 30,000 personnel from 27 nations participating.
Including NATO's closest partners, Finland and Sweden.

We have deployed 220 aircraft, including fifth-generation fighter jets.
And more than 50 ships, including two aircraft carrier groups from the United Kingdom and Italy.

Russia's war against Ukraine is a watershed moment.
It is a new normal for European security. And also for Arctic security.

NATO is an Arctic Alliance.
4 out of 5 Arctic littoral states are NATO nations.
It is a region of strategic importance for the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area.
And critical for the communication links between North America and Europe.

It is also a region of growing strategic competition.

In the last few years, we have seen a significant increase in Russian military activity here.

Russia has re-established Soviet era Arctic bases.

This is a test bed for many of Russia's novel weapon systems.

It is the home of Russia's strategic submarine fleet.

Russia's military build-up is the most serious challenge to stability and Allied security in the High North.

We also see an increased Chinese interest in the region.
China has defined itself as a "near Arctic" state an aims to build a presence here.

For all of these reasons, the High North is an area of critical importance for all Allies.
This is why NATO Allies have increased their military presence in the North.

And this exercise is an example of that. More will be required in the future.

A strong, firm and predictable Allied presence is the best way to ensure stability and protect our interests.
We cannot afford a security vacuum in the High North.
It could fuel Russian ambitions, expose NATO, and risk miscalculation and misunderstandings.

Over the last years, NATO has stepped up.
Established a new NATO command for the Atlantic.
Exercised more often, with the two biggest exercises since the Cold War held in this region.
Allies such as the US, the UK, and Norway have been investing more in cutting-edge capabilities.
Showing greater presence at sea and in the air.
And we monitor developments in the region very closely and share information.

NATO presence is not to provoke a conflict but to prevent conflict, and to preserve peace.

Cold Response is a crucial exercise.
It demonstrates NATO's ability to defend against any threat, from any direction.

This exercise is defensive and long-planned.
We are open and transparent.
As we are with all our exercises.

Norway invited all 57 members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to observe Cold Response.
But Russia declined that invitation.

At this dangerous time for our security, it is even more important that we exercise the readiness of our forces.
And our capacity to reinforce our troops across the Atlantic.

At the NATO Summit yesterday, Allies agreed to continue imposing costs on Russia and to further support our close partner Ukraine.
With additional military supplies.
As well as significant financial and humanitarian aid.

We also decided to start the reset of our defence and deterrence.

The first step is to deploy four new battlegroups to the East of our Alliance.
And I expect NATO leaders to agree further steps at our next Summit in June.
To keep our people safe.
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Connect with NATO online:

#NATO #Norway #ColdResponse2022

[benschanel-vlogsandadventu]

thank you to everyone now at Cold response 2022. You protect us. Thank you. I know it's not easy some are far from their families, for that you protect us you make a big sacrifice because you don't see your family for several months or your children grow up. and you continue to protect us. Thank you for everything you do for us.

[heatherc]

Canada's large country, with its small population of 35 million, is proud of Jens Soltenberg. Our homes and hearts and purses our open.

[AJNpa]

Come on Sweden and Finland, all aboard.

[peterphrakaysone]

NATO Secretaire General is very good to have speech based on on law and reasons .

[mariechoinacional]

Can NATO defend Sweden and Finland in case there is an invasion by Russia? Since they are close partners but not a NATO members? Could they be same like Ukraine to happen?