On the first day of the summit in Vilnius, NATO decided to adopt a “strong package of measures for Ukraine” that will bring it closer to NATO, as well as strengthening deterrence measures and collective defense of the North Atlantic Alliance. it is said in the statement of the military bloc.

NATO leaders gathered for a summit in Vilnius (Lithuania)Photo: Simon Dawson / Avalon / Profimedia

Allies agreed on a package of three elements to bring Ukraine closer to NATO. It includes a new multi-year aid program to help transition Ukraine’s armed forces from Soviet-era to NATO standards and help rebuild Ukraine’s security and defense sector, covering critical needs such as fuel, demining equipment and medical equipment, the statement said. NATO communique.

The allies also agreed to create a new Ukraine-NATO Council, the inaugural meeting of which will be held in Vilnius on Wednesday with the participation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.

The Alliance also confirmed that Ukraine would become a member of NATO and agreed to drop the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. “This is a powerful package for Ukraine and a clear path to its accession to NATO,” said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

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Plans against two main threats – Russia and terrorism

According to Stoltenberg, the allies adopted “the most comprehensive defense plans since the end of the Cold War.”

The new regional plans, designed to counter the Alliance’s two main threats – Russia and terrorism – call for 300,000 troops to be ready for action at any time, including through significant air and sea combat power.

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A long-term commitment to invest in defense at least 2% of GDP

Allies also approved a new Defense Production Action Plan to accelerate joint procurement, increase production capacity and improve Alliance interoperability.

To meet their defense needs, the Allies have made a long-term commitment to invest at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) in defense.

In 2023, the defense budgets of European allies and Canada increased by 8.3% in real terms, the largest increase in a decade. Eleven allies have met or exceeded the benchmark this year, and that number is expected to rise significantly in 2024.

“China is not our enemy, we must continue the dialogue”

Allies also discussed the challenges a “coercive” China poses to Euro-Atlantic security and values.

“China is not our adversary and we must continue the dialogue,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, stressing that “Beijing’s growing assertiveness affects the security” of NATO and challenges the rules-based international order.

On Wednesday, the allies will meet with the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as the European Union. (Source: News.ro)

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