NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed regret that the alliance could have done more to arm Ukraine prior to Russia's invasion in 2022, stating that reluctance to supply requested weapons stemmed from fears of escalating tensions. In an interview, he reflected on the intelligence indicating an impending invasion and emphasized that while NATO is now providing military support for the ongoing war, earlier assistance could have potentially prevented the conflict. Stoltenberg noted that a resolution to the war would ultimately require dialogue with Russia, but maintained that this must occur from a position of Ukrainian strength. As he prepares to step down from his role next month, he reiterated the importance of military support for Ukraine and the lessons learned from the initial hesitations to arm them. The Secretary General characterized February 24, 2022, as a pivotal moment in European history, marking a significant turning point for NATO and its member states.