Defense - More air defense: NATO summit starts with a signal to Ukraine
At the beginning of the Nato Summit in Washington, the USA and other Ukraine partners have pledged additional military support. US President Joe Biden announced at a ceremony to mark Nato's 75th anniversary that the USA and other Nato countries would provide Kiev with extra equipment for defense against Russian air raids. The announcement was less clear than some had expected. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg once again called for more help and Ukraine's accession to the alliance.
Biden, who is under close scrutiny following his controversial TV debate, delivered his remarks flawlessly on stage, but with the help of a teleprompter.
The ceremony was held in Washington D.C. at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, the same location where the Washington Treaty, the founding document of Nato, was signed on April 4, 1949. Biden hailed the alliance as the "greatest and most effective defense alliance in the history of the world."
All eyes on Biden
The Democrat, who is hosting the summit this year, is currently fighting on all fronts to save his candidacy for the November presidential election. He had a disastrous performance in the TV debate against his Republican challenger Donald Trump at the end of June. This fueled the debate about his mental fitness and his suitability for another term in a whole new way. Every move, every statement from the 81-year-old is closely analyzed.
At the Nato summit in Washington, Biden appeared somewhat tense. He delivered his speech to the heads of state and government of Nato member states without major stumbles.
Ukraine in focus
The Ukraine conflict is at the top of the agenda at the summit. With the pledge of additional support for Ukraine's air defense, the USA and other allies sent a clear signal to Kiev. The Ukraine has been urging for a long time that it needs above all equipment to protect the country from Russian air raids.
Just before the Nato summit, Russia launched heavy air attacks on Kiev, among other targets was a large children's hospital. This caused great outrage.
Several Nato countries - including the USA, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, and Italy - announced in a joint statement that they would provide "additional strategic air defense systems, including additional Patriot batteries, donated by the United States, Germany, and Romania." The Netherlands and other partners also announced they would provide components to operate an additional Patriot system.
An overhyped announcement
Most of this is not new. According to sources in German government circles, the German contribution is one of the three Patriot systems already delivered. Romania and the Netherlands had also previously announced their contributions.
However, the USA is now sending another Patriot system to Kiev. They had already provided one. The Patriot air defense missile system is one of the most advanced in the world. It engages enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. From Nato circles it was said, it was disappointing that no commitments for more Patriot systems had been made before the summit.
In the statement, the countries of Kiev indeed mention dozens of tactical air defense systems - such as Nasams or Iris-T - as well as hundreds of additional interceptor jets, which are scheduled to be delivered in the coming year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude. On the platform X, he wrote that the additional Patriots and air defense systems would help "destroy Russian drones and rockets and better protect Ukrainians from Russian terror from the air."
Nato Secretary-General advocates for new members
Stoltenberg used his speech to advocate for the acceptance of acceding countries such as Ukraine. The expansion of the alliance after the end of the Cold War had united Europe, paved the way for integration, and brought peace and prosperity across the continent. As he emphasized, "clarity and determination" were needed, just as they had been back then.
Possible Nato invitation for Ukraine is a contentious issue
With his remarks on Nato expansion, Stoltenberg made it clear that he was on the side of those Nato members who openly oppose Ukraine's membership application and want to facilitate rapid progress in the admission process. Decisions in this direction are not expected, especially given the opposition of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Biden.
This will be important on Wednesday
On Wednesday, the heads of state and government will discuss which capabilities the alliance needs for defense and deterrence in the face of international threats. China could also be a topic. In particular, the US views the People's Republic as an increasing security threat and places particular emphasis on the deterrence and defense capabilities of Nato in the Indo-Pacific. Invitations have been extended to partners from the Indo-Pacific region: Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia.
- During the NATO summit in Washington, Joe Biden announced additional military support for Ukraine, specifically extra equipment for defense against Russian air raids.
- The USA and other NATO partners, including Germany and the Netherlands, pledged to provide Ukraine with this additional equipment at the summit.
- Romania and several other NATO countries also announced they would provide additional strategic air defense systems to Ukraine, including Patriot batteries.
- Ukraine has been urging for equipment to protect against Russian air raids for a long time, as conflicts between the two nations continue.
- Just before the NATO summit, Russia launched heavy air attacks on Kiev, targeting a large children's hospital among other places.
- At the ceremony marking NATO's 75th anniversary, Biden hailed the alliance as the "greatest and most effective defense alliance in the history of the world."
- Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for more help for Ukraine and advocated for its accession to the alliance during the summit.
- Biden's speech at the NATO summit was closely analyzed, as he is under scrutiny following his controversial TV debate.
- The Netherlands and other partners also announced they would provide components to operate an additional Patriot system for Ukraine's defense.
- NATO member states will discuss which capabilities the alliance needs for defense and deterrence in the face of international threats, including possible security concerns from China, during the summit.
- Stoltenberg used his speech to advocate for the acceptance of acceding countries such as Ukraine, emphasizing the unity and peace that NATO expansion brought to Europe after the end of the Cold War.
