14 minutes agoUS: We are determined to defend every inch of NATO
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Washington's commitment to protecting “each centimeter” of NATO territory. He made those statements before the start of the meeting of 30 NATO defence ministers. At the 13 October meeting, ministers are expected to hold closed discussions concerning the alliance's nuclear plan. Likewise, [...]
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Washington's commitment to protecting “each centimeter” of NATO territory.
He made those statements before the start of the meeting of 30 NATO defence ministers. At the 13 October meeting, ministers are expected to hold closed discussions concerning the alliance's nuclear plan.
Also, Austin's statements came after Russian President Vladimir Putin's masked threats to possible use of nuclear weapons, as his army is undergoing losses in the battlefield in Ukraine.
“We are committed to protecting every centimeter of NATO's territory, if it comes so far”, said Secretary Austin.
In Brussels, NATO members Thursday hold the meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group, which is a senior body of the alliance for nuclear affairs, but also dealing with nuclear-related policies.
Meanwhile, in the Magnaries of the meeting in Brussels, a group of 13 NATO members and Finland that is in the process of membership in this military alliance signed an agreement to purchase air defence systems, such as Arrow 3 and Patriot.
The group that has signed this agreement includes Germany, Britain, Slovakia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Czechia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia.
Some of NATO member states are seeking to strengthen the air defence systems, in light of Ukraine's unprotested Russian invasion. Several other states are replacing or updateing current systems while continuing to arm Ukraine.
