NATO defence ministers confirmed on Wednesday 16 March that they would continue to provide “significant” support - including military, humanitarian and financial - to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced after an extraordinary meeting. He explained that the Alliance supported Ukraine’s right to self-defence.
“We support the Ukrainians’ ability to defend themselves and we will continue to support them in the future”, added US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, while Dutch Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed that her country would continue to supply arms to Ukraine.
Supporting the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Stoltenberg said that what Ukraine could achieve at the talks was closely linked to the situation on the battlefield, and therefore NATO’s military support was important.
Conversely, the Allies did not change their position on a no-fly zone - despite a new request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the same day - nor did they support the Polish idea of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to provide humanitarian aid. “NATO should not deploy forces on Ukrainian soil or in Ukrainian airspace”, Mr Stoltenberg said.
Asked about a peacekeeping mission, Estonian Defence Minister Kalle Laanet recalled that such a deployment would require the support of the UN Security Council, where Russia has veto power.
Strengthening Alliance defence and deterrence
Mr Stoltenberg recalled that NATO had already strengthened its defence on its eastern flank and announced that ministers had tasked military commanders to develop options in all areas: land, air, sea, cyberspace and space (see EUROPE 12911/6).
“On land, our new posture should include significantly more forces in the eastern part of the Alliance, at a higher level of readiness, with more equipment and supplies pre-positioned”, the Secretary General explained.
He called for greater allied air power and enhanced integrated air and missile defence and, at sea, for carrier strike groups, submarines and a significant number of warships on a permanent basis. Finally, the Allies will consider the future of their cyber defences and how best to leverage Allied space assets.
All this will require additional investment, Stoltenberg said.
He added that the decision on strengthening/resetting the Alliance’s defence and deterrence should be taken in June at the Madrid Summit.
Prior to the summit, NATO leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday 24 March to discuss the situation in Ukraine, NATO’s immediate response, and the changes needed for the long-term security of the Allies. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)