Stoltenberg: Norway and Finland Are Vital to US Security

According to the DPA news agency, former NATO Secretary General and current Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg said in Monday's edition of the German daily Die Welt that the United States remains heavily dependent on its European allies for its security.

Despite US President Donald Trump's repeated criticism of NATO, Stoltenberg argued that America's defense begins at the border between Europe and Russia.

He pointed to Russia's Kola Peninsula, which hosts one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals. "These weapons are not aimed at Oslo, they are aimed at Washington and New York. But Norway helps track Russian submarines when they leave their bases", Stoltenberg said.

He stressed that European countries such as Norway and Finland play a vital role in U.S. security by monitoring Russian submarines and providing early warning of missile launches and military aircraft activity.

While acknowledging differences between the United States and Europe over trade, climate policy, and security, Stoltenberg said increased European defense spending is the most important step toward preserving the NATO alliance.

He added that Germany is currently on course to become Europe's largest defense investor.

(max)