Former NATO Chief Proposed a Dangerous Deal with Russia for the Baltic States 0 20

The newspaper “Baltic Sentinel” reports that an influential politician acknowledged in his memoirs that he agreed to consider the possibility of withdrawing some NATO forces from Eastern Europe, writes nra.lv.

In the book "On My Watch: Leading NATO in a Time of War," the former head of the alliance writes that in 2021 he proposed to Russia to discuss dangerous concessions regarding the Baltic States, without informing allies.

Stoltenberg, who led NATO from 2014 to 2024, describes himself in his memoirs as a person who avoids conflict and seeks diplomatic balance. Although the title of the book refers to "a time of war," the author of the critical article, Melissa Oidsalu, notes that the alliance remained passive for most of his term and officially legitimized military support for Ukraine only in 2024.

Dialogue with Russia at the Expense of the Baltic States

One of the most controversial moments in the book is Stoltenberg's acknowledgment of a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the fall of 2021. Despite objections from Poland and the Baltic States, he proposed to discuss the Kremlin's idea of creating a "buffer zone" and withdrawing alliance forces to positions that existed before 1997 within the Russia-NATO Council.

Such a proposal would mean the withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern European regions. Although the author emphasizes the unity of the alliance, he does not hide that he was ready to discuss returning the architecture of European security to the realities of the past millennium behind the backs of new members.

Ironically, the proposal to discuss the withdrawal of NATO troops was rejected by Russia itself, which demanded the fulfillment of all conditions of its 2021 ultimatum, rather than "selective convenient solutions."

Although U.S. intelligence had warned of an impending attack as early as October 2021, France and Germany considered the threat exaggerated.

Stoltenberg acknowledges that he supported Berlin and Paris's position on preventing escalation. The memoirs confirm the impression that the West expected a quick fall of Kyiv at the beginning of the war.

The author emphasizes that his views on relations with Russia were influenced by his father, former Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, who advocated dialogue with Moscow even during the Cold War. The son proudly notes that he managed to maintain this dialogue even after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Relations with Trump and the Future of the Alliance

A significant portion of the book is devoted to Donald Trump. Stoltenberg claims that Trump's threats to withdraw from NATO were not a bluff — his advisors seriously recommended considering such a step. Despite the constant tension, the former Secretary-General acknowledges a paradox: during Trump's presidency, U.S. presence in Europe increased, and allies began to spend more on defense.

Stoltenberg, now Norway's Minister of Finance, does not hide his concern for NATO's future in the event of a possible second term for Trump, calling the disintegration of the alliance a real possibility.