New York Times – The NATO secretary general gave a strong defense of the 70-year-old military alliance between Europe and the United States, using a high-profile appearance before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday to urge allies to stand up to a more assertive Russia.
While the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is not looking for a new Cold War with Moscow, the alliance’s leader, Jens Stoltenberg, said it was important to not be “naïve” about the Kremlin’s intentions. Proffering a long list of Russian actions that threaten NATO allies, including the annexation of Crimea, the use of a nerve agent in Britain and Moscow’s interference in democratic elections, Mr. Stoltenberg cited “a pattern of Russian behavior” that calls for the alliance to be more united than ever in its response.
“NATO will always take the necessary steps to provide credible and effective deterrence,” Mr. Stoltenberg said at the Capitol. He was in Washington for a meeting of foreign ministers from NATO member states.
