Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast General Harald Kujat: NATO's Attempt to Defeat Russia Destroys Ukraine
Feb 6, 2026
General Harald Kujat, former head of the German Armed Forces and NATO military committee chair, provides military and European security perspective. He traces the conflict's post-Cold War roots and NATO expansion. He discusses missed diplomatic chances, negotiation hurdles like neutrality and guarantees, and the risks of escalation and wider regional consequences.
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Suspending Crisis Mechanisms Was Catastrophic
- NATO suspended the NATO-Russia Founding Act mechanisms at a critical moment, removing a tool designed to prevent escalation.
- General Harald Kujat calls this suspension a major historical mistake that still shapes today's conflict.
Treaty Exits Eroded Strategic Trust
- Major treaty withdrawals (ABM, INF, Open Skies) and NATO enlargement shifted the strategic balance and eroded trust.
- Kujat argues these moves produced predictable Russian reactions that contributed to the war's outbreak.
Prioritize Diplomacy Over Military Victory
- Do prioritize political and diplomatic solutions over attempts to win the war by military means.
- Kujat urges Europeans to propose peace initiatives instead of fueling prolonged conflict that destroys Ukraine.