The News Agents Jens Stoltenberg on Putin, Trump and Europe’s future
50 snips
Oct 24, 2025 
Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and a prominent Norwegian politician, discusses the tumultuous political landscape shaped by the Ukraine war and rising populism. He explains the complexities of NATO-Russia tensions and portrays Putin's personal influence on the invasion. Stoltenberg disputes the notion that NATO provocation sparked aggression and offers insights into Trump’s potential impact on global relations. He emphasizes the necessity for center-left leaders to tackle pressing economic issues to combat populism, all while reflecting on the enduring strength of NATO.
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Unity Is The Best Deterrent
- Jens Stoltenberg judges a direct NATO–Russia war unlikely if allies remain united and deter effectively.
- He stresses strengthening deterrence and investing in modern capabilities to minimise war risk.
Prepare For Peace By Strengthening Forces
- Prepare for war by strengthening deterrence and ramping up military capabilities now.
- Invest in modern forces so credible defence prevents escalation and preserves peace.
When NATO Saw The Invasion Coming
- Stoltenberg realised a full invasion was likely by October–November 2021 due to clear capacity and intent intelligence.
- NATO publicly shared that intelligence to warn the world before February 2022.
