NATO demonstrates its muscles to Moscow
Show no weakness, in particular not towards Russia's President Putin, that's how it sounds so far at the NATO summit. In the final document, Ukraine is promised membership in the defense alliance. China is declared an ally. The elephant in the Congress center is, however, Donald Trump.
The sun beats down on the armored vehicles of the National Guard securing the NATO summit in the heart of the US capital. In the event center, the transatlantic defense alliance shows its muscles towards Moscow. The heads of state and government of US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have not arrived yet, and things are already heating up at the events. In the first hours, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and not least the commander of the US forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, discuss the security situation in Europe.
The war in Ukraine casts a long shadow over the summit. Due to Russian military aggression, the self-understanding and working methods of NATO have fundamentally changed. General Cavoli gives a practical insight into how significant this is. For a defense scenario, that is, an attack on one of the member states, there are now detailed plans for various regions, according to Cavoli. These would be coordinated with the different armies of the members. There is also sufficient ammunition. However, adjustments are still needed in the supply lines. This is a "gigantic shift" from the small combat units of the past.
Earlier, NATO asked its members which forces they would make available in case of emergency. Now, the alliance asks, what they could not send. Several states have made their entire military available. NATO could react within "30 to 100 days" and mobilize 500,000 soldiers in Europe in the event of a defense scenario. In addition, there are other military forces. "I am confident that every inch of the alliance can be defended," says Cavoli. He has the necessary command authority, and given incidents like Bucha, where Russian troops massacred civilians in a Ukrainian town shortly after the start of the large-scale invasion, he also has the moral responsibility.
Ukraine's accession "irreversible"
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously confirmed the new air defense systems for Ukraine once more and received applause for the announcement that the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands "is in progress" and that "these fighter jets will still fly over Ukraine's skies this summer." Kiev must win, Blinken says, and winning means a strong, independent Ukraine.
There is a global realignment taking place, according to the minister: China is conducting maneuvers with Belarus, North Korean trainers are active in Russia, and there is Iranian involvement. There are new realities, new aggressions. "If China continues to fuel Russia's arms industry, that is unacceptable for Europe," Blinken assures. "70% of Russia's tool machines and 90% of its microelectronics come from China." Blinken warns of consequences such as sanctions.
In a significant speech, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg highlights clear boundaries, following Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin. The Defense Secretary draws parallels to the NATO founding 75 years ago, stating: Since Russia annexed Crimea and Eastern Ukraine in 2014, NATO members have increased their defense spending by 72 percent. He labels the conflict "imperialistic" and clarifies: "We will not let ourselves be drawn into Putin's war, but every NATO member's border is our border." An attack on an ally is an attack on all. "Any attempt to undermine NATO undermines the security of America."
This can be interpreted as a reference to Donald Trump, a skeptic towards the alliance. The designated Republican presidential candidate is already a major presence in Congress. What happens if he wins the November election? NATO is preparing for this scenario: The new US-independent command center in Wiesbaden, a new training center in Poland, a special envoy in Kiev, a multitude of bilateral agreements between member countries and Ukraine, and perhaps the strongest commitment, which cannot be signed without a signature: The path of the country into the defense alliance is "irreversible," according to the joint declaration of all members.
"This is the time when we are being put to the test," warns NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg afterwards. The alliance has identified a pattern with Russia: "They have taken piece by piece of Ukraine." For there to be a ceasefire, one must be 100 percent certain that it stops. He holds a Ukrainian NATO membership for "no ifs, but when." This summit is about minimizing "risks of future delays and gaps" in supporting Ukraine. There are no guarantees, he says, it depends on individual countries; another hint towards a possible Trump victory.
For months, US aid for Ukraine has been stalled in Congress, and European allies could not deliver the promised ammunition. This created a "very challenging situation" in the first half of the year, says Stoltenberg, in which Ukraine held the front more or less despite this. Support is now greater and "in the past few weeks," allies have again delivered more ammunition. However, China is a "decisive supporter" of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg finds clear words towards Beijing. Practically everything Russia sets against Kiev comes from China. "They cannot expect a normal relationship with NATO members in North America and Europe while continuing to fan the flames of a war that is the greatest threat to European security since World War II." Regarding consequences, he remains vague: "We will see how far we are willing to go." This lies in the hands of the EU and individual alliance states.
The United States Presidential Election 2024 could potentially impact NATO's approach towards Russia, given the presence of former President Donald Trump as a presidential candidate. Regarding the NATO goal of reaching two percent of GDP spending on defense, some NATO members, including the United States, have yet to meet this target. In light of the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict and Russian military aggression, the United States announced the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a move that was met with approval. The accession of Ukraine to NATO is described as "irreversible" in the joint declaration of all members, a statement that could be seen as a response to potential future skepticism towards NATO from some political circles in the United States. China's role in supplying Russia with military equipment is criticized by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with consequences such as sanctions implied if this support continues.
