NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made clear the critical role of the transatlantic Alliance in safeguarding European security during the European Political Community (EPC) meeting, which the UK government hosted on 18 July 2024.
Stoltenberg described NATO as the “cornerstone for European security” and highlighted the alliance’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.
In his address, Stoltenberg declared, “The time to stand for freedom and democracy is now, and the place is Ukraine.” He also announced that NATO’s new command center, dedicated to coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine, will become operational in September this year.
Stoltenberg also condemned the “pattern of Russian hostile actions against NATO Allies,” which he said includes cyber-attacks, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns. He noted that NATO Allies are countering these threats by sharing intelligence, enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure, and conducting national legal processes.
“The purpose of Russia’s attacks is to coerce us from providing support to Ukraine, but we will not be coerced,” Stoltenberg affirmed.
The Secretary General’s visit to the EPC meeting at Blenheim Palace included discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The EPC brings together around 50 European leaders, predominantly from NATO Allies and partners, to address key issues affecting European security, such as defending democracy, energy and cyber security, migration, and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
On this morning’s news Germany are going to cut Aid by half next year 🤔.Interesting to see if Trump gets back in power ? However don’t personally think it’s a good idea if Ukraine ever get NATO membership ,but by all means help them with Equipment etc .That’s if not leaving our own to short 🙄
Hi Andrew D. That’s not quite what it seems at face value. Funding for UKR war effort actually improves because of the use of frozen Russian assets in the west, that has recently been secured. Revenue from those is now being given to UKR, so the reductiuon in individual nations contribution to UKR is reduced because alternative funding has been found, not an actual cut in support for UKR. Far better that Russia pays for her illegal, immoral invasion.
One of Stoltenburg’s problems is that he has no understanding or knowledge of the United States outside of the DC bureaucracy. He sees his role as an advocate for European interests and views the interests of the North American contingent subordinate to them. He sees Donald Trump as a barrier to European interests, but Trump is only reflective of the US populace as a whole when it comes to Ukraine. Americans are split with approximately 1/3 supporting the current level of support for Ukraine, 1/3 as seeing too much, and 1/3 too little. America has gotten very weary of subsidizing… Read more »
America doesnt subsidise European defence.
The trouble with MAGA Americans is that they have no understanding or knowledge of their own history or any other country beyond what they get from Marjorie Taylor Greene or some other foaming at the mouth extremist Republican lunatic. Your false assertion about America subsidising European defence shows that.
The thing with Trump is that he is a Russian shill, owned and paid for by the Kremlin. Funny how all of his statements align perfectly with Putins aims don’t you think?
Absolute rubbish “America has gotten very weary of subsidizing a Europe”
That will be why a bipartisan Senate agreement approved $60bn in lethal aid for Ukraine lat year. Trump and his MAGA followers then held it up for six months while Ukraine servicemen and women died defending against Russian assaults.
Not to mention Russian bombing Ukraine children’s hospitals, appartmemt blocks, water infrastructure – and the raping and pillaging going on in occupied Donetsk.
I suggest that you do everyone a favour, move to Russia and volunteer for front line service
To be fair many see Trump as a barrier to US interests as well as the rest of the free western world. He doesn’t even represent all Republicans but has hijacked the Republican party for his own evil personalty cult. He openly admires Putin.
His isolationalistic aims give the likes of Russia & China free reign to expand globally.
So give UKR everything it needs & send NATO forces to drive Russia out of UKR rather than the stalemate that threatens the existence of UKR & costs so many UKR & Russian lives. We’ve pussy footed around way too long allowing Putin to call all the shots, giving Russia all the oxygen it needs to prosecute the war. Nato is a nuclear allience. MAD means if you threaten us with nukes we will nuke you, threat neutralised. If instead we cower, dither & back off, we’re not using our own deterrent sensibly. NATO has not attacked Russia. Rusia infiltrated… Read more »
Armenia should immediately join NATO. It’s a travesty that this has not happened already, seeing as Armenia stopped being in a territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh on 1 Jan 2024.