NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Wednesday 23 March that Allied leaders meeting at a summit in Brussels on Thursday should agree to strengthen NATO’s position in all areas.
To this end, NATO intends to increase its forces in its eastern part, on land, in the air and at sea. “The first step is the deployment of four new NATO battlegroups, in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia”, Mr Stoltenberg told the media. NATO already has four multinationalbattlegroups on its eastern flank: in the Baltic States and in Poland.
The Secretary General stressed that hundreds of thousands of Allied troops were in a heightened state of readiness across the Alliance, supported by significant air and naval power, including five aircraft carrier strike groups in the High North and Mediterranean.
Beyond an immediate response, leaders could discuss resetting the Alliance’s deterrence and defence for the long term and, as their defence ministers did on Wednesday 16 March, (see EUROPE 12912/1), ask NATO’s military commanders to develop options for the Madrid summit in June.
Strengthening support for Ukraine
The Allied Heads of State or Government should also discuss the war in Ukraine more directly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address them by video conference. “The Allies stand united in support of the brave Ukrainian people and against the cruelty of the Kremlin”, Mr Stoltenberg warned once again.
While the Allies have already provided Ukraine with military equipment, including anti-tank and air defence systems, drones, weapons and ammunition, and fuel, they may decide to go further. According to the Secretary General, the Allies could agree on cyber security and equipment assistance to help Ukraine protect itself against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
Mr Stoltenberg reiterated his concerns about possible chemical attacks by Russia. “Any use of these products would change the nature of the conflict and have far-reaching consequences”, he warned.
The Secretary General said that Ukraine’s membership of NATO was not on the agenda of the summit.
He also said that he expected the issue of China’s role in the Russian invasion to be discussed. Beijing abstained from votes condemning the Russian invasion at the United Nations. “China has provided political support to Russia, including the dissemination of blatant lies and disinformation. And the Allies are concerned that China is providing material support to the Russian invasion”, said Mr Stoltenberg, adding that the Allies will call on Beijing to live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council, to refrain from supporting Russia’s war effort and to join the rest of the world in calling for an immediate and peaceful end to the war.
Finally, leaders could agree to step up tailored support for other partners at risk from Russian pressure, including Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. “By working together, with the European Union, we must help them to uphold their sovereignty, and their right to make independent decisions”, Stoltenberg said.
G7 Summit
After the Allies’ summit, the NATO buildings will host a meeting of the leaders of the G7 countries, where, again, the situation in Ukraine will be discussed. Leaders are likely to reiterate their solidarity with Kyiv, particularly in terms of military assistance, but also humanitarian and political assistance. They may also look at the effectiveness of sanctions already adopted, the reception of refugees and the risk of a food crisis. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)