GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer has called on new NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to push rapidly for a de-escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

She said: “Stoltenberg's predecessor, the hawk Rasmussen, attempted to extend NATO's sphere of influence eastwards irrespective of Russia's concerns. The Ukraine conflict shows where that leads to. Peace and security in Europe will only be possible together with and not against Russia. I want to remind Mr. Stoltenberg that the wall fell 25 years ago. The people do not want a new Cold War.”

Zimmer continued: “While Stoltenberg used to be an opponent of NATO, one swallow does not make a summer. Even with Stoltenberg as the new face, NATO countries will continue to pump up their defence budgets and actively intervene in conflicts outside of their territories and promote civil-military cooperation. We think this is the completely wrong approach.

“We need to replace NATO with a collective security system, one which involves Russia. That would be the right way forward for the 21st century. The military elements in the EU's common foreign and security policy must be dissolved not strengthened. EU countries should push for a strong international policy of peace, disarmament and cooperation.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group