Stoltenberg Says NATO Enlargement Was Not 'Easy Decision' Over Fears of Provoking Moscow

The enlargement of NATO and opening its doors to other countries were not an "obvious" choice and an "easy decision" because of fears of provoking Russia, among other concerns, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has told the NATO 75th Anniversary Celebratory Event in Washington.

"The question was whether we were ready to open our door [to other countries]. Some feared that enlargement would delude and weaken NATO and provoke Moscow. Just as at previous crossroads, it was not an obvious choice, it was not an easy decision, and it took time," Stoltenberg said on Tuesday. 

The NATO summit kicked off in Washington on Tuesday and will run through July 11.