Israeli-Palestine conflict ‘must not escalate into a major regional conflict: NATO chief

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that the Israel-Palestine conflict "must not escalate into a major regional conflict.”

“We must not give up working for a lasting, political peace solution," he said at the 75th Nordic Council session in Oslo, Norway.

Stoltenberg said deep cooperation among Nordic countries after years of enmity demonstrates "that “peace is always possible.”

He noted that building friendship and trust between decision-makers is particularly vital "at a time when polarization, fragmentation and suspicion threaten trust in democracy and the open societies we seek to build."

Stoltenberg highlighted the conflict in the Gaza Strip should not weaken NATO's resolve and ability to support Ukraine.

Regarding Ukraine, Stoltenberg warned that there "were no signs of Russia planning for peace."

He insisted that NATO allies must continue to provide lethal aid to Ukraine, emphasizing that "if Ukraine stops defending itself, they will be occupied, and occupation is not peace."

He termed Russia's invasion as a "strategic defeat," isolating Moscow further and he highlighted the significance of investing in Ukraine's security.

Stoltenberg noted that an investment not only supports Ukraine but demonstrates to authoritarian leaders that military force does not yield a favorable outcome.