NATO chief says not seeking 'new Cold War' with Russia

11:48 - 06 August 2024

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a joint meeting of Congress

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the alliance was not seeking a new "Cold War" with Russia on its 70th anniversary but called for greater efforts at deterrence.

"We do not want a new arms race. We do not want a new Cold War. But we must not be naive," Stoltenberg said in an address to the US Congress during NATO celebrations in Washington.

Stoltenberg said that the 29-nation alliance needed to prepare for the end of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which the United States is exiting as it says a Russian system is in violation.

"We do not want to isolate Russia. We strive for better relationship with Russia," Stoltenberg said.

"But even with a better relationship, we still need to manage a difficult one," he said.