NATO stresses defensive role amid tensions over Strait of Hormuz access
Europe is discussing a potential operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global oil supply, as prices reach $100 a barrel.
Finland’s Valtonen emphasised NATO’s defensive stance, while Europe seeks strategies to secure oil flow amid rising prices and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Europe will evaluate the potential operation regarding the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days amid ongoing debates over assistance to the US.
Briefing summary
In an interview with EU News, Valtonen emphasised that NATO remains a “defensive” alliance, focused on supporting its members, particularly Finland’s security along its extensive border with Russia.
Amid rising global oil prices, Valtonen highlighted the collective interest in ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains secure for the free flow of oil, crucial for Europe and the world.
Discussions among EU foreign ministers about expanding the EU’s naval mission in response to US requests have faced resistance, despite the strategic importance of the Strait for global oil supply.
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Valtonen also stressed that NATO is a “defensive” organisation and will not be drawn into a war of its choosing, in an interview with EU News’s flagship Europe Todayshow.
“NATO is indeed a defensive alliance, and we won’t be dragged into any war of choice”, she said. Valtonen said a like country like Finland is also focused on its own security needs, protecting what she called a long border with Russia for NATO.
However, given the impact the Strait’s effective closure is having on global oil prices, pushing oil prices $100 a barrel, it’s in Europe’s interest for it to be secured, Valtonen said.
“We of course have a collective interest – and I should say not only within NATO – but as the world, to have the oil flowing, to de-escalate, and that is certainly something we are calling for”, she told EU News in an interview at NATO HQ in Brussels.
Trump threatened his allies saying NATO would have a ‘bad future’ if they didn’t rush to assist the US secure the strait which has been largely unviable for international shipping, and crucially, for the passage of about one fifth of the world’s crude oil and LNG gas.
Valtonen said Europe will discuss a potential operation in the coming days, and said the time when Europe uses leverage over the US in its time of need in the Gulf was “approaching.”
However, the EU’s 27 foreign ministers have balked at the idea of expanding the remit of the EU’s naval mission Aspides to be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz despite calls from the US to help unblock the waterway carrying one fifth of the world’s oil supply.
The discussion also has implications for Ukraine.
Refusing to be drawn on what type of quid pro quo Europe could negotiate in exchange for helping the US, Valtonen said Ukraine and Europe have “very strong cards”.
“There’s a lot of leverage that we can also make use of”, she said. “Ukraine and Europe have very strong cards, especially in the long term.”