The NATO summit, which starts this Tuesday in Lithuania, will focus on supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion and on its adhesion to the Swedish Alliance, as well as on strengthening the military means of the allies against future threats.
The question of Swedish accession, whose main obstacle was Turkey, was resolved on Monday, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to support Sweden’s entry into the Atlantic Alliance.
In return, Stockholm pledged to support Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union (EU), including visa liberalization.
Strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defense capabilities is one of the main themes of the summit, which brings together the 31 current members to consider a review of the military organization model and new regional plans, a plan whose relevance was strengthened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Started in February of last year.
The summit will also serve to discuss the strengthening of investment by the allies, to respond to this plan, as well as to meet the needs of Ukraine in its war effort.
NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has insisted on the idea that the allies must commit to a minimum of 02% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Defense and not as “a ceiling”, having already appealed to the 31 members who have the “political courage” to increase defense spending and increase weapons production to continue supporting Ukraine.
Ukraine’s NATO membership should also be included in the discussion on the expansion of the Alliance, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky increased pressure on the allies to make an unequivocal declaration of acceptance of his country’s membership, as soon as the Russian troops leave the territory.
Source: TSF
