As NATO wrapped up its landmark 75th Anniversary Summit, held in Washington, DC, from 9 to 11 July 2024, key takeaway included closer engagement with partner nations in the Indo-Pacific and EU as well as a steadfast resolve to continue supporting Ukraine in its struggle to repel the Russian invasion of the country.
On 11 July allied leaders met with their counterparts from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the European Union to address shared security challenges and further deepen co-operation. Faced with the growing alignment of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, NATO is working ever more closely with partners in the Indo-Pacific and the EU to help preserve peace and protect the rules-based international order.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Stoltenberg also highlighted that China is a decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with the Washington Summit declaration referring to the strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing as a “cause for profound concern”.
Also on 11 July Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined allied leaders for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of heads of state and government. Stoltenberg indicated that the allies continue to support Ukraine on an irreversible path to NATO membership, stating, “Today, we will take further decisions together with Ukraine, making clear that NATO’s support is built to last, and affirming that Ukraine’s future is in NATO.”
The previous day the NATO allies agreed to establish a NATO Security Assistance and Training programme for Ukraine to co-ordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine. They also announced a pledge of long-term security assistance to Ukraine with a minimum baseline of EUR 40 billion within the next year.
“This pledge will ensure greater burden-sharing of military support,” said Stoltenberg. “It will also provide Ukraine the reliable support it needs to deter and defend against future Russian aggression now and in the future.”
The secretary general welcomed that more allies have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, bringing the total to 20. He also highlighted that the allies have agreed to establish a NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Poland.
The next NATO summit, in 2025, will be held in The Hague, the Netherlands.
