The leaders of all 30 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) met in Brussels on Thursday for an extraordinary summit regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Statement by #NATO Heads of State and Government#NATOSummit
— NATO (@NATO) March 24, 2022
The following is a brief summary of the summit.
Joint Statement by NATO Head of State and Government:
NATO leaders described Russian “aggression” against Ukraine as “the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades” and said it “has shattered peace in Europe and is causing enormous human suffering and destruction.” The statement condemned Russia’s invasion in the “strongest possible terms” and demanded that President Vladimir Putin immediately end the war.
Calling Moscow’s actions an “assault in international norms” and a threat to global security, NATO leaders demanded that Russia comply with the March 16 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered Moscow to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
“At this dangerous time, transatlantic unity and solidarity are vital," SG @jensstoltenberg said at #NATOSummit. Allies agreed to reset @NATO’s deterrence & defence for the longer-term, to continue support for #Ukraine & impose costs on #Russia.https://t.co/LxQuS44JXQ pic.twitter.com/T8uNDukk2M
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) March 24, 2022
Furthermore, NATO leaders condemned Russia’s assault on Ukrainian civilians and called them “war crimes.” The statement stressed that the Alliance will work with the international community to hold Russia accountable for these crimes.
Expressing concern about the “increased risk” of sexual violence and human trafficking in Ukraine, leaders urged Russia “to allow rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access and safe passage for civilians, and to allow for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Mariupol and other besieged cities.”
The statement also issued a warning to Russia against attacking civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants. It further said that “any use by Russia of a chemical or biological weapon would be unacceptable and result in severe consequences.”
The statement rejected the Kremlin’s “false narrative” that the assault on Ukraine was meant to counter the threat posed by NATO. In this respect, the leaders said that “each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements free from outside interference.” “We reaffirm our commitment to NATO’s Open Door Policy under Article 10 of the Washington Treaty [NATO Charter],” which states that any country can choose to be a NATO member after final approval by the United States (US).
Furthermore, NATO members’ confirmed their “iron-clad” commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which states that an attack on any NATO member could lead to the alliance taking armed action to preserve the security of the North Atlantic area. “We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and defend the security of our Allied populations and every inch of Allied territory.”
The statement said that NATO members are on full alert and have activated defence plans, including the deployment of a Response Force along with 40,000 troops on NATO’s eastern flank. “We are also establishing four additional multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia,” leaders confirmed.
Noting that Russia’s actions represent a “fundamental challenge” to European values, norms, and security, the statement concluded by saying that “Putin’s choice to attack Ukraine is a strategic mistake, with grave consequences also for Russia and the Russian people.”
Remarks by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
Following the summit, Stoltenberg affirmed NATO’s support for Ukraine and said that the Alliance will “continue to impose unprecedented costs on Russia.” Stating that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine significantly altered Europe’s security dynamics, he said that NATO has heightened its level of readiness and deployed significant military assets in land, air, sea, and cyber.
#NATO leaders met at a critical time for our security. We agreed to strengthen our deterrence & defence for the longer-term. We also agreed to give further support to #Ukraine & to continue to impose costs on #Russia. Transatlantic solidarity remains vital https://t.co/e9jW4zopkR
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) March 24, 2022
Stoltenberg also called on China to stop supporting Russia’s narrative and urged it not to provide economic or military support to Moscow. “Instead, Beijing should use its significant influence on Russia. And promote an immediate, peaceful resolution.” Furthermore, he called on Belarus to “stop acting as an accomplice to Putin’s invasion.”
Remarks by US President Joe Biden
President Biden vowed to redouble efforts to support Ukraine militarily, impose crippling sanctions on Russia, and fortify NATO’s eastern flank. He said that the US has committed to providing over $2 billion in military equipment to Ukraine and confirmed that US weapons are “flowing into Ukraine as I speak.”
#NATO is more united and more determined than ever.
— US Mission to NATO (@USNATO) March 24, 2022
🇺🇸 and all Allies’ commitment to Article 5 is ironclad - an attack on one is an attack on all.
NATO Allies are adjusting our force posture to strengthen the defenses of the Alliance. #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/Uo4wcduF04
He added that the US is committing over $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and plans to welcome an additional 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.
Biden asserted that “NATO has never been more united than it is today” and “Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into Ukraine.”
Remarks by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
PM Boris Johnson told media that Putin has “badly miscalculated Ukraine” and has moved on to Plan B by intensifying Russia’s onslaught.
The United Kingdom will work with our allies to step up military and economic support to Ukraine, strengthening their defences as they turn the tide in this fight.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 24, 2022
In this respect, he stressed that the United Kingdom (UK) “will not stand by while Putin vents his fury on Ukraine” and promised to “ramp up lethal aid to Ukraine” so that it can defend itself from a “bullying neighbour.” Accordingly, Johnson announced that the UK will send an additional 6,000 missiles and provide £25 million ($33 million) to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Erdoğan stressed the importance of “being in a constructive dialogue with Russia” in order to peacefully resolve the conflict. “Both Russia and Ukraine are our neighbours in the Black Sea. We have a strategic partnership with Ukraine in addition to our deep-rooted, multidimensional and close relations,” he said.
Based on the spirit of alliance solidarity, Türkiye will continue to contribute to NATO's deterrence and defence measures.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) March 24, 2022
We expect the same level of solidarity from our allies. It is in our mutual interest to lift the restrictions imposed by our allies on our defence industry. pic.twitter.com/a8yMlV28me
Erdoğan added, “We believe that the final solution should be based on a reliable formula to be accepted by both countries and the international community.”
He affirmed Turkey’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and vowed to make contributions to NATO’s defence and deterrence capabilities. “NATO must act with a realistic and strategic approach while continuing its political and practical support to Ukraine in the current climate of war,” he said.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and has recently intensified its attack. While Moscow justifies its invasion as an effort to eliminate the presence of neo-Nazis in Ukraine and halt the genocide of Russians in the Donbas region, Ukraine and the West have denied these claims.