Former Secretary General of NATO George Robertson warns that the crisis in the Middle East could undermine support for Ukraine, and that would be a fatal mistake for Europe.
He tells Yle that he follows the situation from this point of view.
– That’s the thing that worries me the most at the moment. It is the biggest risk for Europe.
Robertson led NATO from 1999 to 2003, during which time the alliance expanded to Eastern Europe and cooperation with Russia was still sought. He met the President of Russia Vladimir Putin several times since he came to power in 2000.
Yle interviewed Robertson at a security conference focusing on Russia organized in Tartu at the beginning of March.
Robertson: Supporting Ukraine is NATO’s most important mission
Table of Contents
Robertson’s message is clear: supporting Ukraine must not waver.
– NATO must keep its focus on Ukraine and helping Ukraine.
According to him, Russia’s attack on Ukraine is still the biggest issue in terms of European security.
– It is undoubtedly Europe’s biggest threat at the moment. What Russia is doing in Ukraine and for Ukraine.
Ukraine now needs more weapons and wider support, says Robertson.
– We need to get a message to President Putin: he cannot win, and we are not going to let him win.
European defense gets a frank assessment from Robertson
Robertson doesn’t mince his words when the conversation turns to Europe’s defense capability.
– Europe is very slow.
According to him, NATO countries in Europe and Canada use for defense huge sums. Only in Europe defense costs more than 400 billion euros per year. In Robertson’s opinion, you don’t get value for money.
– Even though we spend half a trillion dollars a year on defense, taxpayers don’t get defense for half a trillion dollars.
According to him, the European defense industry is too scattered.
– We have a terrible habit of making several overlapping and competing programs and developing special systems that cannot be sold to anyone else.
Robertson met with Putin several times
Robertson met Vladimir Putin several times in the early 2000s, when relations between Russia and the West were still in a period of cautious cooperation.
At that time, Putin had just come to power and was looking for a place for Russia in Europe. He emphasized the country’s status as a great power. Founded in 2002 NATO–Russia Councilwhose purpose was to bring Russia into the European security system.
However, according to Robertson, Putin today is very different from the person he knew then.
– I don’t fully recognize the Putin we have today.
Many according to estimates Putin’s thinking began to harden in the mid-2000s. In particular, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2004 increased the Kremlin’s distrust of the West. At the same time, NATO expanded to Eastern Europe, which strained relations even more.
According to Robertson, however, one feature has remained the same.
– He was a very goal-oriented and tough person. And I think he responds to determination and strength.
Therefore, according to him, the unity of Europe and the United States is crucial.
Putin asked about joining NATO
Robertson also remembers a special conversation with Putin in the early 2000s.
– He asked: when are you going to invite Russia to become a member of NATO?
Robertson reminded at the time that NATO does not invite countries to become members.
– I told him that we do not invite countries to join NATO. They apply for membership.
It didn’t suit Putin. According to him, Russia did not intend to queue with other countries. In theory, according to Robertson, Russia’s path could also have led to a union.
However, this did not happen.
– He chose another path.
Robertson: Putin brought Finland and Sweden into NATO
Robertson says that he already tried to attract Finland and Sweden to NATO during his time as Secretary General. The attempt was not successful then.
– For four years, I tried to convince Sweden and Finland to join the alliance.
Then Russia invaded Ukraine.
– Vladimir Putin managed to convince them in days.
Robertson considers the accession of Finland and Sweden to be a significant strengthening of NATO.
He does not believe that in today’s world it is possible to remain neutral.
– I don’t think you can be neutral in a world where Donald Trump is in the United States and Vladimir Putin leads Russia.
– Impartiality is an outdated concept.
Robertson on Trump: “He needs to calm down”
According to Robertson, Europe’s security ultimately depends on whether the Western alliance remains united, and the United States plays a key role in that.
The situation is not exactly easy. The United States has pressured NATO countries to participate more actively in the war against Iran, especially in the Persian Gulf and in securing the Strait of Hormuz. In Europe, this causes concern.
At the same time, the war in Ukraine continues, and the allies are expected to be stretched in several directions at once.
Although the unpredictable line of US President Donald Trump has increased uncertainty, Robertson does not believe that NATO is falling apart.
– It is strong and doing well.
According to him, in Washington, every new administration goes through a kind of learning phase before the importance of NATO for the United States becomes fully understood.
Robertson reminds us that NATO is not only Europe’s security network, but also a key part of the United States’ own security and influence in the world.
– The US benefits enormously from having 31 automatic allies.
Robertson also has direct advice for Donald Trump.
– He needs to calm down.