Talks about NATO’s strategy are underway at NATO Summit in Madrid. The leaders of the military alliance are calling for a united response to the war in Ukraine.
French President Macron suggested that NATO was “braindead” less than three years ago. War in Ukraine has upended NATO’s plans and forced it to obtain a new deterrence strategy.
President Biden has announced that the US will expand its military presence across Europe with its forces strengthened across land, air, and sea.
“We’re going to approve a new Nato strategic concept and reaffirm the unity and determination of our alliance to defend every inch of Nato territory. And Article 5 is sacrosanct, and we mean it when we say it, an attack against one is an attack against all, every inch,” said Biden.
Asked if the US is required to inform Moscow of the changes in military posture, John Kirby said, “There has been no communication with Moscow about these changes, nor is there a requirement to do that.”
Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense, said that the eastern flank countries are facing a “heightened threat of a Russian leadership that has shown itself willing and capable of launching military attacks on bordering countries.”
UK’s PM Boris Johnson will urge leaders to increase their military spending. The Prime Minister described Finland and Sweden’s move to join NATO as a huge step forward.
Zelenskyy needs 5 billion euros per month
The NATO Summit in Madrid has been addressed virtually by Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy. He said that his country needs up to 5 billion euros every month to sustain war effort against Russia.
NATO is about to get two new members, Finland and Sweden, adding two modern militaries to the alliance after Turkey dropped its opposition to their joining. Russia had earlier warned there would be consequences.
“This is a historic summit in many ways, but we’ve already got two new members coming in, Finland and Sweden, a huge step forward for our alliance,” said Boris Johnson.
This year’s summit also touches upon improving global partnerships. For the first time, the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea will participate.
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