NATO summit opens with pledge of continued support for Ukraine
Once again, Washington is hosting a NATO summit in the midst of a war in Europe. In 1999, the US capital held the Alliance's annual summit to coincide with the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, the main focus of a meeting marked by the participation of three new members: the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
25 years later, NATO members are meeting again in Washington to commemorate the Alliance's 75th anniversary and to address the current war in Europe - Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Indeed, this will be the main focus of the three-day summit in Washington. In this regard, the meeting is expected to focus on ways to secure lasting support for Kiev in the face of Moscow's offensive.
While many member nations have provided Ukraine with military equipment, NATO as an organisation has only provided non-lethal support such as fuel, combat rations, medical supplies and body armour, as well as equipment to deal with drone attacks and defuse mines.
Alliance members are expected to agree on a new coordinated plan to support Ukrainian forces militarily, including the delivery of equipment and military training. NATO's future membership of the Alliance, which the Alliance does not rule out once the war is over, will also be discussed.
The NATO summit coincides with one of Russia's most intense attacks on Ukraine in recent months. Russian troops launched several missiles at Ukrainian cities earlier this week, damaging the country's largest children's hospital and numerous buildings.
This attack disrupted surgeries and forced minor cancer patients to receive treatment in the street. According to the Ukrainian authorities, at least 31 people were killed by the shelling.
Today, Russia struck Ukrainian cities, resulting in over 170 injuries. As of now, 37 fatalities have been reported, including three children. My condolences go out to their families and loved ones.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024
In total, nearly 100 facilities were damaged, including a children's hospital,… pic.twitter.com/Gbd5Yefzfp
China, another key point of the summit
In addition to Ukraine, other issues on the summit agenda include China and the potential challenges it may pose in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the security situation in North Africa and the Middle East.
Since the war in Ukraine began, the US and NATO have on several occasions pointed to the deepening relations between Russia and China, highlighting Beijing's exports to Moscow of goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes and allow Russia to keep the war going in Ukraine.
According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Russia has imported 90% of its microelectronics from China, used to produce missiles, tanks and aircraft. "China is also working to provide Russia with improved satellite capacity and imagery," Stoltenberg recently noted, claiming that this allows Moscow to "inflict more death and destruction in Ukraine, strengthen Russia's defence industrial base and evade the impact of sanctions and export controls".
The #NATOSummit starts today!
— NATO (@NATO) July 9, 2024
Watch the video to find out what’s on the agenda ↓
In addition to close ties with Russia, NATO is also concerned about Beijing's actions in the region, such as militarisation in the South China Sea, its recent aggressive confrontation with the Philippines in disputed waters, as well as threats to Taiwan's sovereignty.
The agenda for the first day of the summit includes a panel discussion on women, peace and security hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. For his part, Stoltenberg will host a meeting with defence industry leaders and officials from NATO member states to address, among other issues, boosting defence production as the war in Ukraine continues.
