NATO Defence Ministers concluded a two-day meeting to prepare for the upcoming Washington Summit in July, focusing on strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence and supporting Ukraine, according to a press release from NATO.
Ministers agreed on a plan for NATO to lead the coordination of security assistance and training for Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, “This will allow NATO leaders to launch this effort at the Washington Summit in July, putting our support to Ukraine on a firmer footing for years to come.”
The coordination will be managed from Wiesbaden, Germany, with nearly 700 personnel from Allied and partner nations involved.
The effort includes training, equipment donations, logistical support, and the long-term development of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Stoltenberg emphasized, “These efforts do not make NATO a party to the conflict, but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defence.”
Defence ministers also discussed response options for Russia’s hostile actions against Allies, agreeing on measures such as increased intelligence exchange, enhanced protection of critical infrastructure (including undersea and cyber space), and further restrictions on Russian intelligence operatives.
Stoltenberg reiterated, “Russia’s campaign will not deter us from supporting Ukraine, and we will continue to protect our territories and populations against any kind of hostile actions.”
In addition to support for Ukraine, ministers focused on new NATO defence plans, translating these into concrete requirements for forces and capabilities needed to defend Allies.
Stoltenberg noted, “Allies are offering forces to NATO’s command at a scale not seen in decades. Today we have 500,000 troops at high readiness across all domains, significantly more than the goal that was set at the 2022 Madrid Summit.”
He added that Allies are investing in key capabilities, with plans to acquire thousands of air defence and artillery systems, 850 modern aircraft (mostly 5th generation F-35s), and other high-end capabilities over the next five years.
NATO is also investing over 1 billion dollars in the NATO Innovation Fund and discussed a new Defence Industrial Pledge to scale up military production and strengthen long-term cooperation with industry.
In a meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group, defence ministers discussed the ongoing adaptation of NATO’s nuclear capabilities. Stoltenberg stated, “We are a nuclear Alliance – committed to being responsible and transparent. But clear in our resolve to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.”