Chief NATO in Washington, Biden: Stronger, More United Alliance Than Ever

As the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation marks the 75th anniversary, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Washington to discuss plans for the July meeting, where he will discuss continuing support for Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

President Joe Biden praised the alliance's work, saying a record <x0ndrate” countries are meeting NATO's commitment to spending on defence at least 2 per cent of domestic production.

“NATO was founded 75 years ago. It is important to say that the lesson we have learned is the alliance's unity to protect and curb aggression. Under your leadership, NATO has grown larger, stronger and more united than ever --”, addressed President Biden Mr. Stoltenberg.

Earlier Monday, Mr. Stoltenberg said NATO allies had provided unprecedented “ ” support for Ukraine. He said this would cost the alliance at least $45 billion a year.

At the July meeting, I expect other leaders to agree that NATO will lead the co-ordination and delivery of security assistance and training for Ukraine. That's why I proposed a long-term financial commitment with new funds each year. The more reliable our long-term support is, the sooner Moscow will realize that it cannot prolong the conflict, and the sooner the war ends. It may seem a paradox, but the path to peace is more weapons to Ukraine”.

Analysts say these discussions are setting the agenda for the next meeting.

“However, the main issues are what the alliance says to Ukraine after promises of support in recent weeks? What will be the nature of NATO-Ukrainian relations? NATO is taking over military assistance and co-ordinating military training for Ukraine from the United States. A major step currently taking”, says Dan Hamilton with the Brookings Institute.

Last week, Ukraine's president praised a 10-year security agreement with the United States, saying it paves the way for Ukraine's NATO membership.

The NATO issue is included in the text of the agreement. She says America in the future supports Ukraine's membership in NATO and acknowledges that our security agreement is a bridge to Ukraine's NATO membership”, President Zelenskyy said.

This bridge could be long, says analyst Hamilton, noting that other countries are also making bilateral commitments with Ukraine.

“Basically, some of them are pledging mutual protection. Others promise military support for a longer period of time. So Ukrainians can count on this back up”, says Dan Hamilton with the Brookings Institute.

The analyst says that NATO's radar is also the way the war could end, as is growing awareness of threats beyond the North Atlantic, as reflected by the plans of leaders of Japan, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand to participate in the NATO meeting that begins on July 9th in the American capital. / VOA