NATO summit host Lithuania is a small country with a loud voice, especially when it comes to Russia
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO summit host Lithuania is a small country with a loud voice, especially when it comes to Russia

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — A pair of colorful children’s scooters rest against the yellow tracks of a battle tank, parked in the shade of skyscrapers in the Vilnius business district. “Never in its history was Lithuania this safe,” says Jonas Braukyla, an IT engineer, who brought his family to see the U.S.-made Abrams tanks, German Leopards and Marders and other military hardware brought out to project NATO power ahead of an alliance summit next week. Now we must help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and I hope the summit will bring good news for them.” The two-day summit starting Tuesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders will be the most high-profile international event that Lithuania has hosted since it joined the alliance in 2004, and some locals hope it will be of historic significance. “It’s not just the war against Ukraine, it’s the quest against our entire civilization,” said the 67-year-old, who last week received the Manfred Wörner Medal, a prestigious German award for services toward peace and freedom in Europe. “I don’t think, as some do, that Russia must be totally taken apart, attacked on its territory.. That was never France’s position, and it never will be.” The small Baltic countries are among the top contributors of military aid to Ukraine on a per-capita basis.

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History of this topic

NATO@75: The military alliance grows in relevance, also in expectations
5 months, 1 week ago

NATO@75: The military alliance grows in relevance, also in expectations

Firstpost  

NATO is increasingly considering the European and Indo-Pacific theatres as interdependent, especially considering the China factor. At the June 2021 Brussels Summit, NATO leaders affirmed that Ukraine would eventually join the Alliance and supported Ukraine’s right to self-determination without interference. NATO offered to improve communications with Russia and discuss missile placements and military exercises, as long as Russia withdrew troops …

Nato Summit | A worry as big as Putin: How to Trump-proof the alliance?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Nato Summit | A worry as big as Putin: How to Trump-proof the alliance?

Firstpost  

Nato summit gets underway today in Washington, where top leaders from 32 member nations have gathered to celebrate 75 years of its existence. But Donald Trump, the second-time US presidential hopeful, casts a large shadow on the summit as Russia’s Vladimir Putin keeps Europe on edge Aiming to run again for the US presidential election, Donald Trump said in February …

NATO leaders are descending on Washington. Here’s what to know
5 months, 2 weeks ago

NATO leaders are descending on Washington. Here’s what to know

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — NATO leaders meet this week for a summit commemorating the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, which has never been larger and more focused but is also facing potentially existential threats from outside and within. Although the new British prime minister has signaled continued strong support for both NATO and Ukraine, gains made by far-right parties, as well …

Central and Eastern European countries mark 20 years in NATO with focus on war in Ukraine
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Central and Eastern European countries mark 20 years in NATO with focus on war in Ukraine

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Several central and Eastern European countries began marking on Thursday the 20th anniversary of the largest expansion of the NATO military alliance when formerly socialist countries became members of the bloc. However, we in Lithuania are calm because we know that we will never be alone again,” said President Gitanas Nauseda, standing near the runway where the …

Trump doubles down on war with NATO — and thinks Ukraine is already a member
10 months, 1 week ago

Trump doubles down on war with NATO — and thinks Ukraine is already a member

Raw Story  

Republicans and Democrats came together over the weekend to attack former President Donald Trump for his comments that he'd encourage a war with a NATO ally. You gotta pay," Trump said he told one unnamed leader asking if he'd fight against NATO. After the criticism, Trump took to his personal social media site to claim that people on the left …

German brigade in Lithuania set to be combat ready on Russian border in 2027
1 year ago

German brigade in Lithuania set to be combat ready on Russian border in 2027

Firstpost  

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius compared what he called a “historic” agreement to the stationing of allied forces in West Germany during the Cold War, deployed to defend Western Europe in case of a Soviet attack. A German brigade consisting of approximately 4,800 soldiers stationed in Lithuania, near the Russian border will be combat-ready by 2027, according to the defence …

Explained | What are the takeaways from the NATO summit?
1 year, 5 months ago

Explained | What are the takeaways from the NATO summit?

The Hindu  

The story so far: For quite a few years, many questions were asked about the relevance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A standout of the Vilnius Summit was the attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the anticipation around the possibility of extending NATO membership to Ukraine. NATO’s new plans involve maintaining a force of 300,000 troops, with air …

Explained | What is NATO’s stand on Ukraine’s entry?
1 year, 5 months ago

Explained | What is NATO’s stand on Ukraine’s entry?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization sought to put up a united face at its two-day summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, at a time when it’s deeply involved in the Russia-Ukraine war. In the Bucharest summit of 2008, NATO had offered eventual membership to Ukraine and Georgia, two Black Sea basin countries that share land …

The Nato summit was not the triumph that Zelensky hoped it would be
1 year, 5 months ago

The Nato summit was not the triumph that Zelensky hoped it would be

The Independent  

When they met for their summit in Vilnius this week, Nato leaders appeared to have just one item left on their agenda – how, when, and even whether to admit Ukraine. So much was admitted by the US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, who told CNN afterwards that if Ukraine were admitted to the alliance now, Nato’s famous mutual defence …

NATO summit results in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine, hope for Sweden and a response to Russia
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO summit results in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine, hope for Sweden and a response to Russia

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts wrapped up a two-day summit Wednesday with pledges of long-term support for Ukraine but no offer of the country’s protection under the alliance’s security umbrella. After an evening of pre-summit intrigue, Sweden took a big step toward becoming NATO’s 32nd member country when Turkey signaled it would give its …

Live Updates | Zelenskyy hails ‘steps forward’ at NATO summit to help fight against Russian forces
1 year, 5 months ago

Live Updates | Zelenskyy hails ‘steps forward’ at NATO summit to help fight against Russian forces

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Follow along for updates on the summit of the NATO military alliance in Lithuania’s capital: What to know: — Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its NATO membership remains elusive — Turkey won’t ratify Sweden’s NATO membership before October, Erdogan says — Biden and Zelenskyy praise each other despite divisions over Ukraine war — Greece and Turkey …

Watch as Nato representatives give closing statements as summit nears end
1 year, 5 months ago

Watch as Nato representatives give closing statements as summit nears end

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks …

NATO didn’t ‘create incentive’ for Putin to stop Ukraine war
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO didn’t ‘create incentive’ for Putin to stop Ukraine war

Al Jazeera  

As the NATO summit in Lithuania wraps up, analysts say its declaration has fallen short and dashed Kyiv’s hopes. “We reaffirm the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and today we recognise that Ukraine’s path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan.” …

Full text: NATO Vilnius summit communique
1 year, 5 months ago

Full text: NATO Vilnius summit communique

Al Jazeera  

NATO leaders are holding their annual summit as Ukraine looks to the security alliance for support in its attempt to push back invading Russian forces. Russia’s more assertive posture, novel military capabilities, and provocative activities, including near NATO borders, as well as its large-scale no-notice and snap exercises, continue to threaten the security of the Euro-Atlantic area. We are working …

Why the Nato summit in Vilnius could prove critical
1 year, 5 months ago

Why the Nato summit in Vilnius could prove critical

The Independent  

This week’s Nato summit in Vilnius marks a critical point in the organisation’s history. In early 2008, in my second term as president of Georgia, I was standing outside the Oval Office for what I believed would be a final membership blessing from George Bush ahead of a summit of Nato leaders in Bucharest, Romania. The argument presented by those …

Zelensky hits out at lack of Vilnius summit timetable for Ukraine to join Nato
1 year, 5 months ago

Zelensky hits out at lack of Vilnius summit timetable for Ukraine to join Nato

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Volodymyr Zelensky said it is “absurd” that no timeframe has …

Why Ukraine’s plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West
1 year, 5 months ago

Why Ukraine’s plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West

The Independent  

For Ukraine, what it is asking for has been simple – a pathway to membership of Nato to protect its future in the wake of Russia's invasion. open image in gallery Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for Nato acceptance Offering Ukraine membership if the war ends doesn't work, either. Tweeting as the summit began, he said it would be …

NATO Summit Boosted By Turkey's Decision To End Opposition To Sweden's Bid To Join
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO Summit Boosted By Turkey's Decision To End Opposition To Sweden's Bid To Join

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING VILNIUS, Lithuania — NATO opened its summit Tuesday with fresh momentum after Turkey withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Because of the deal on Sweden’s membership, “this summit is already historic before it has …

Live Updates | Zelenskyy gets hero’s welcome in Lithuania’s capital as he arrives for NATO meeting
1 year, 5 months ago

Live Updates | Zelenskyy gets hero’s welcome in Lithuania’s capital as he arrives for NATO meeting

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Follow along for updates on the summit of the NATO military alliance in Lithuania’s capital: What to know: — Turkey’s decision to end opposition to Sweden’s NATO membership boosts summit — Sweden’s rocky road from neutrality toward NATO membership — What is NATO doing to help Ukraine in the war with Russia? — Ukraine, defense plans and …

Live Updates | Lithuania and allies beef up security for NATO summit
1 year, 5 months ago

Live Updates | Lithuania and allies beef up security for NATO summit

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Zelensky says he understands Ukraine will be in NATO
1 year, 5 months ago

Zelensky says he understands Ukraine will be in NATO

The Hindu  

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the eve of the NATO summit that Ukraine will be part of the alliance and expects from the meeting an "algorithm" for Kyiv to officially join it. Mr. Zelensky said the Vilnius summit must confirm Ukraine is already 'de facto' a member of NATO as it has its weapons and shares values with the alliance. …

As NATO meets on Ukraine, Russian officials fire warnings at West
1 year, 5 months ago

As NATO meets on Ukraine, Russian officials fire warnings at West

Al Jazeera  

Russia has long objected to Ukrainian membership of the Western military alliance. As NATO leaders gather in Lithuania for a meeting that is being dominated by the Ukraine war, and Kyiv’s desire to join the military alliance, Russia has issued a series of threats. Just look at their statements for years, they wanted to weaken our country.” Sergey Lavrov, the …

Ukraine tops NATO summit agenda along with defence plans Sweden's membership and Belarus fears
1 year, 5 months ago

Ukraine tops NATO summit agenda along with defence plans Sweden's membership and Belarus fears

Firstpost  

The biggest item on NATO’s agenda is what to do about Ukraine. Russia’s war in Ukraine will top the agenda when US President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts hold a summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius over two days starting on Tuesday. The emphasis is on ensuring that Ukraine has support as long as the conflict continues, how to …

Ukraine tops NATO summit agenda along with defense plans, Sweden’s membership and Belarus fears
1 year, 5 months ago

Ukraine tops NATO summit agenda along with defense plans, Sweden’s membership and Belarus fears

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Russia’s war in Ukraine will top the agenda when U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts hold a summit in Lithuania’s capital over two days starting Tuesday. They are expected to focus on ensuring that Ukraine has support as long as the conflict continues, how to bring the country even closer to NATO without actually joining, …

NATO to meet for annual summit: Will Ukraine get membership?
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO to meet for annual summit: Will Ukraine get membership?

Firstpost  

NATO’s much-celebrated unity faces fresh strains when leaders gather for their annual summit this week in Vilnius, Lithuania. “I don’t think it’s ready for membership in NATO,” President Joe Biden told CNN in an interview that aired on Sunday. “You don’t want to present any gaps or seams.” By some measures, the war in Ukraine has reinvigorated NATO, which was …

NATO ‘must confirm’ Ukraine is ‘de facto’ a member: Zelenskyy
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO ‘must confirm’ Ukraine is ‘de facto’ a member: Zelenskyy

Al Jazeera  

While questions about the type of weapons and how many to provide Kyiv continue to be debated by NATO members, Ukraine’s leader seems assured that more are on the way. Most NATO members stand together with Ukraine and the alliance’s upcoming Lithuania summit must confirm Kyiv is a de facto member, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. Our values are what the …

NATO membership of Ukraine, Sweden in focus at Vilnius summit
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO membership of Ukraine, Sweden in focus at Vilnius summit

Al Jazeera  

NATO leaders will meet in Lithuania this week to discuss Russia’s aggression, as well as overcome differences over the perspective membership of Ukraine and Sweden. The military alliance members will seek to reaffirm their support for war-torn Ukraine on Tuesday and Wednesday, overcome differences over Sweden’s perspective NATO membership, and display a united stance against Russia’s aggression. But a day …

Week in Ukraine: NATO meets as Russia's war blows past 500 days
1 year, 5 months ago

Week in Ukraine: NATO meets as Russia's war blows past 500 days

NPR  

Week in Ukraine: NATO meets as Russia's war blows past 500 days Enlarge this image toggle caption Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Here's a look ahead and a roundup of key developments from the past week. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the 500th day of the war with Russia over the weekend, issuing a video filmed on Snake Island, where he …

NATO's Unity Will be Tested at Summit in Lithuania
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO's Unity Will be Tested at Summit in Lithuania

News 18  

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues with no end in sight, NATO’s much-celebrated unity faces fresh strains when leaders gather for their annual summit this week in Vilnius, Lithuania. “So I think the invasion has strengthened NATO — exactly the opposite of what Putin anticipated.” He noted Germany’s shift toward a more robust defense policy as well as other …

NATO's unity will be tested at summit in Vilnius
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO's unity will be tested at summit in Vilnius

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “So I think the invasion has strengthened NATO …

Ukraine and expansion top NATO agenda as Biden tries to cement unity
1 year, 5 months ago

Ukraine and expansion top NATO agenda as Biden tries to cement unity

LA Times  

President Biden and fellow leaders of NATO will come together this week extolling their remarkable unity backing Ukraine in its war with Russia. “I don’t think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war,” Biden said Friday in a pretaped interview with …

NATO will defend members from threat of Wagner forces in Belarus
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO will defend members from threat of Wagner forces in Belarus

Al Jazeera  

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the military alliance will protect members from threats by either ‘Moscow or Minsk’. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the Western military alliance is ready to defend itself against any threat posed by the move of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force to Belarus amid fears the relocation of the private army could create instability for NATO’s Eastern …

NATO sees no change in Russia’s nuclear posture despite Belarus leader’s claims
1 year, 6 months ago

NATO sees no change in Russia’s nuclear posture despite Belarus leader’s claims

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — NATO sees no sign that Russia has changed its nuclear posture, the head of the military alliance said Thursday, after President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that Belarus has already received some tactical nuclear weapons from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the weapons will be deployed to Belarus next month and will remain under Moscow’s exclusive control. So …

NATO sees no change in Russia’s nuclear posture despite Belarusian leader’s claims
1 year, 6 months ago

NATO sees no change in Russia’s nuclear posture despite Belarusian leader’s claims

LA Times  

NATO sees no sign that Russia has changed its nuclear posture, the head of the Western military alliance said Thursday, after Belarus’ president claimed that his country had already received some tactical nuclear weapons from its ally Moscow. In an interview on state television Tuesday, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko brashly warned that he wouldn’t hesitate to order the weapons’ use …

Ukraine making progress in counteroffensive against Russia, says NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg
1 year, 6 months ago

Ukraine making progress in counteroffensive against Russia, says NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg

Firstpost  

Predicting that NATO leaders will increase military assistance to Kyiv when they meet next month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said that Ukraine is making progress in its counteroffensive against Russia. “The support that we are providing together to Ukraine is now making a difference on the battlefield as we speak, because the offensive is launched and Ukrainians …

NATO chief offers Vilnius summit preview at White House
1 year, 6 months ago

NATO chief offers Vilnius summit preview at White House

Al Jazeera  

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vowed to ‘sustain and step up’ support for Ukraine as it faces Russian invasion. “It was not only an attack on Ukraine but also on our core values and on free people everywhere,” Stoltenberg said on Tuesday as he sat across from US President Joe Biden. And also the more likely it will be that President Putin, …

France, Germany and Poland back Ukraine’s counteroffensive in a show of unity
1 year, 6 months ago

France, Germany and Poland back Ukraine’s counteroffensive in a show of unity

Associated Press  

PARIS — The leaders of France, Germany and Poland met in Paris Monday for talks focusing on military support for Ukraine’s counteroffensive and future security guarantees to be given to the country, ahead of a NATO summit in July. French President Emmanuel Macron said “the Ukrainian counteroffensive began several days ago,” in a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf …

NATO chief: Ukraine’s ‘rightful place’ is in the alliance
1 year, 8 months ago

NATO chief: Ukraine’s ‘rightful place’ is in the alliance

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared Thursday that Ukraine’s “rightful place” is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion just over a year ago. NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout …

NATO seeks to ease war impact on Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova
2 years ago

NATO seeks to ease war impact on Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy NATO turned its attention on …

NATO sees no Russia threat amid Poland blast investigation
2 years, 1 month ago

NATO sees no Russia threat amid Poland blast investigation

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that a blast in Poland that killed two people was probably not an attack by Russia, but rather caused by a Ukrainian air defense system meant to counter a Russian aerial bombardment. The blast came amid a Russian aerial assault in Ukraine and raised deep concern about whether Russia might be expanding …

Live updates | NATO chief: alliance in 'biggest challenge'
2 years, 5 months ago

Live updates | NATO chief: alliance in 'biggest challenge'

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Latest on the NATO …

Explained: How the upcoming NATO summit plans to keep Russian aggression in check
2 years, 5 months ago

Explained: How the upcoming NATO summit plans to keep Russian aggression in check

Firstpost  

The Madrid summit will be dominated by talks on offering more support to Ukraine and bolstering defences along the bloc’s eastern borders that may be next in Russian president Vladimir Putin’s sights Madrid: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shocked NATO back to first principles. Leaders of the world’s most powerful military alliance are aiming to increase support for Ukraine’s fight …

NATO chief condemns Russia’s ‘brutal act of war’ against Ukraine
2 years, 9 months ago

NATO chief condemns Russia’s ‘brutal act of war’ against Ukraine

Live Mint  

BY DREW HINSHAW | UPDATED FEB 24, 2022 07:46 AM EST Jens Stoltenberg says ‘It will be a new Europe’ after invasion that has given alliance a new unity of purpose NATO’s chief called Russia’s attack on Ukraine a “brutal act of war" and said he would convene a summit of alliance leaders Friday following an activation of alliance defense …

NATO vows to defend its entire territory after Russia attack
2 years, 10 months ago

NATO vows to defend its entire territory after Russia attack

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Thursday that the military alliance would defend every inch of its territory should Russia attack a member country, as he slammed Moscow for launching a brutal act of war on Ukraine. Ukraine’s government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border and accused Moscow of unleashing a “full-scale war.” Speaking after chairing …

Russia Increases Troops In Belarus, And Both Practised Mock-Invasion Of Lithuania Last Year
2 years, 10 months ago

Russia Increases Troops In Belarus, And Both Practised Mock-Invasion Of Lithuania Last Year

News 18  

Satellite images launched by American space technology company Maxar showed that Russia amassed troops and weaponry in the southern part of Belarus which shares borders with Ukraine. It is also noteworthy that even after Belarus foreign minister Vladimir Makei assuring Ukraine that following the military drills Russian forces would leave, they still remain and only look forward to increase their …

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