NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska's interview with APA
Azerbaijan’s gas exports have bolstered the energy independence of several NATO Allies
- Ms. Shekerinska, Azerbaijan has been a NATO partner for many years and has contributed to peacekeeping missions. Is the expansion of Azerbaijan’s partnership with NATO, including the possibility of future membership, a topic of discussion?
- Azerbaijan is a long-standing NATO partner. For over three decades, we have pursued political dialogue and practical cooperation in areas of mutual benefit. Azerbaijan continues to increase the level of interoperability with our Allied forces through the Planning and Review Process (PARP), part of our Partnership for Peace programme. Azerbaijan and NATO also cooperate closely on defence education, within NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), as well as through courses organised by NATO-led schools and education and training facilities.
We also highly appreciate Azerbaijan’s support to Europe’s energy independence, including fuel for Ukraine. Your country’s gas exports have bolstered the energy independence of several NATO Allies, especially since the full-scale invasion by Russia of Ukraine.
Furthermore, we are grateful to Azerbaijan for its participation in our past missions in Afghanistan (ISAF and Resolute Support). Azerbaijani personnel were among the last ones leaving Kabul in 2021. This attests to your country’s high level of commitment. Our partnership with Azerbaijan is on a solid track. We stand ready to further strengthen our dialogue and cooperation. There are no discussions about NATO membership. Ultimately, it is a sovereign prerogative of the Azerbaijani authorities, or any other European partner, to decide on their level of ambition for relations with NATO.
We stand ready to support Azerbaijan’s security and defence reforms
- During your visit to Azerbaijan, you held discussions with the Foreign Minister and other officials on bilateral cooperation. Are there any concrete new plans in various areas of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO?
- I have indeed just come back from Baku, where I had productive discussions with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, as well as Speaker of the Parliament Sahiba Gafarova, and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov.
Our cooperation is mutually beneficial and mutually agreed upon. We stand ready to further strengthen our political dialogue and cooperation with Azerbaijan, as well as to support Azerbaijan’s security and defence reforms.
We also look forward to approving our first NATO-Azerbaijan Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP). The ITPP is a multi-year programme which will provide Azerbaijan with access to different partnership activities – including in defence education modernisation, demining, human security, countering information threats, and cyber defence. It will also allow for enhanced support to NATO’s missions and operations.
Furthermore, let me point out that NATO has appointed a new Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, who will take up his duties soon. This is another demonstration of the importance we attach to our partnership with Azerbaijan and more broadly to our partnerships in the South Caucasus.
The atmosphere between Baku and Yerevan have substantially improved
- The normalisation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is of great importance for regional stability. In this context, initiatives such as TRIPP have emerged to promote regional dialogue and cooperation. How does NATO assess the potential of such platforms to strengthen trust between the parties and contribute to the establishment of lasting peace?
- We welcome the Joint Declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington D.C, in August of last year, as well as the initialling of the Peace Treaty by the Foreign Ministers and the substantially improved atmosphere between Baku and Yerevan. During my visit to Baku, I was informed about the many positive steps in the economic domain and the plans to develop transportation routes and communication lines between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is important to maintain momentum and implement the peace agenda without delay, which also means the signature of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. A peace treaty is vital for lasting peace in the region and will, in turn, contribute to wider Euro-Atlantic security.
- In recent years, differing positions and open disagreements have been observed within NATO. How do these divergences affect the Alliance’s strategic decision-making mechanisms? How does NATO work to prevent deeper fragmentation?
- NATO is the main forum for consultation and decision-making on issues of common concern for our shared security, amongst European and North American Allies. Its strength lies in the fact that its 32 members express their views freely and voice their disagreements. But they always come together, when it comes to delivering on the core business of this Alliance. Namely to protect and defend one billion of citizens living across the Euro-Atlantic area. Since its creation in 1949, NATO has proven capable of navigating crises, adapting to the many changes in the international security environment, and remaining fit for purpose. Most recently, this was reflected in the historic decisions undertaken by Allied Heads of State and Government at the NATO Summit in The Hague, last June. Our leaders agreed to invest 5% of GDP in defence by 2035; to ramp-up defence industrial production – expanding our defence industrial base on both sides of the Atlantic; and to continue to both push for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and support Ukraine, including through military assistance. The bottom line is that despite sometimes differing views, Allies continue to come together through NATO – day in and day out – to work jointly for our shared security. We meet and discuss together. Our armed forces train together. Our men and women serve together to deter aggression and ensure our collective defence. And through this, our bond remains strong.
Right now, there is no consensus on Ukraine joining NATO
- I would like to touch on Ukraine’s NATO membership…
- Continued support to Ukraine tops our agenda. We remain laser-focused on ensuring that any peace deal will be lasting – including by ensuring that Ukraine’s forces are robust, and that they have the essential military support that they need. Allies continue to announce more support, including through our PURL (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) initiative, which is providing vital US equipment, including air defences, to Ukraine, paid for by NATO Allies and partners.
We continue our work with Ukraine in other, multiple ways. NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) – our command in Wiesbaden – is working every day to coordinate the delivery of training and security assistance to Ukraine, and to help develop its future force. The UK-administered NSATU Trust Fund continues to enable rapid procurement of urgently needed materials and recurrent items for the Armed Forces of Ukraine identified by NSATU in designated capability areas. This helps address short-term gaps that cannot be filled by other mechanisms.
We launched JATEC in February 2025 (the Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre), in Poland. This is the first ever joint NATO-Ukraine organisation. I had the privilege to represent NATO at its inauguration ceremony. We remain in close contact with Ukraine every day – in Brussels, through our team in Kyiv at the NATO Representation to Ukraine, and beyond; and we regularly consult in the NATO-Ukraine Council. So, our partnership with Ukraine is on a solid track.
The question of Ukraine’s future membership in NATO is a decision for NATO’s 32 Allies and Ukraine. The Alliance’s official position remains that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership, as affirmed at the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington D.C. It is important to separate the principle from the practical. When it comes to the practical, consensus by all Allies is required for any country to join NATO. Right now, there is no consensus on Ukraine joining NATO.
The US commitment to NATO remains ironclad
- Does NATO plan to reduce Europe’s security dependence on the United States?
- The US commitment to NATO remains ironclad. The Trump Administration has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to a strong NATO. We have heard this time and again from President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth and others. The US Congress has made this clear. And two-thirds of Americans support NATO.
At the Summit in The Hague, President Trump reaffirmed his support for NATO yet again; but this commitment comes with the expectation that Allies pull their weight and step up their investment in defence. That is exactly what is happening. A strong transatlantic Alliance remains the bedrock of our security. The US nuclear deterrent cannot be replaced, but Europe needs to step up when it comes to conventional defence. There needs to be a better balance when it comes to our defence and security. It is only fair. And Allies are doing exactly that. They are stepping up, working together and with the US.
NATO has robust defence plans in place, and we are working to ensure we maintain the right forces and capabilities to deter potential aggression and provide for our collective defence.
NATO is increasing its focus on the High North
- How has the growing activity of China and Russia in the Arctic influenced NATO’s strategic planning?
- The Arctic is an important region for our collective security, and NATO has a clear interest in preserving security, stability and co-operation in the High North.
The commitment by all Allies to substantially increase investment in defence – as agreed at the historic Summit in The Hague – is already bearing fruit and will enhance NATO’s ability to deter and defend in the High North, but we know that we need to do more.
So Allies are investing in new air and maritime capabilities. NATO is also increasing its focus on the High North through improved situational awareness, increased training, and improved capabilities. We regularly conduct Arctic exercises to ensure we remain ready to operate in all conditions, and we will be working together among Allies to do even more to enhance Arctic security. For this reason, NATO countries are investing in new air and maritime capabilities.
- From NATO’s perspective, what are the main sources of threats for 2030 and beyond? Russia, China, regional conflicts, or internal fragmentation within the Alliance?
- NATO does not have the luxury to focus on one challenge at the time. That’s why we have a 360 degree approach to security, through which we make sure that we are prepared to tackle any challenges and threats to our shared security.
We are now at the halfway point between the 2025 Summit in The Hague and the 2026 Summit in Ankara. Momentum and delivery are vital. In The Hague, Allies agreed to an ambitious defence investment plan. In Ankara we will see how Allies are stepping up and how we can strengthen our deterrence and defence even further. We have the money, and we must make sure we invest it wisely. Our support to Ukraine will also play a big role. No matter where the peace process stands, Ukraine will continue to need our support, and we must continue to make sure that Ukraine can defend itself as a sovereign and independent nation
Recent incursions by Russian drones and aircraft into NATO airspace have tried to test NATO's defences
- Following the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, have the Alliance’s eastern and northern flanks become more secure, or have new lines of tension emerged?
- Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO has enhanced security for all of us at a crucial time. As a result, NATO can better deter and defend across all domains.
Recent incursions by Russian drones and aircraft into NATO airspace have tried to test NATO's defences. Our quick and decisive responses have demonstrated the Alliance's resolve, unity, and ability to adapt quickly to address growing threats. In September 2025, NATO launched Eastern Sentry – a multi-domain activity – enhancing vigilance and readiness along the eastern flank, demonstrating our commitment to rapid and decisive action. By responding with unity and speed, NATO sent a clear message of resolve to Russia and any others who might want to challenge us.
Our maritime presence in the Arctic and Baltic is also important – whether through Baltic Sentry, regular patrols, or exercises.
The contributions by Finland and Sweden are key in this context.
Russia is the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area
- Some time ago, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the Alliance must be prepared for a war with Russia. Has NATO begun preparations for such a scenario?
- Russia is the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. Allies made this clear in the 2022 Strategic Concept – and it remains true today. What has changed is that we have seen Russia become more reckless – including along our eastern flank, with airspace violations, acts of sabotage, and cyberattacks. This is why we are preparing: we are investing more in defence and bolstering our defence industries; and we continue to support Ukraine. We are also actively strengthening our posture, adding more flexibility and integrating innovation – including through the mentioned Eastern Sentry.
All of this helps ensure that we have what we need to deter and defend.
