NATO Secretary General press conference at the NATO Summit in Vilnius 🇱🇹, 11 JUL 2023

Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government, with Sweden at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, 11 July 2023.
In their first working session at the Vilnius Summit, Allies took decisions to bring Ukraine closer to NATO, and reinforce the Alliance’s collective deterrence and defence.
Allies agreed to a package of three elements bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. This includes a new multi-year assistance programme to facilitate the transition of the Ukrainian armed forces from Soviet-era to NATO standards and help rebuild Ukraine’s security and defence sector, covering critical needs like fuel, demining equipment, and medical supplies.
Allies also agreed to establish the new NATO-Ukraine Council, which will hold its inaugural meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday with the participation of President Zelenskyy. Allies also reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. “This is a strong package for Ukraine, and a clear path towards its membership in NATO,” said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Allies adopted “the most comprehensive defence plans since the end of the Cold War,” Mr Stoltenberg said. Designed to counter the Alliance’s two main threats - Russia and terrorism - the new regional plans provide for 300,000 troops at high readiness, including substantial air and naval combat power. Allies also approved a new Defence Production Action Plan to accelerate joint procurement, boost production capacity and enhance Allies’ interoperability.
To meet their defence needs, Allies made an enduring commitment to invest a minimum of 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defence. European Allies and Canada recorded an 8.3% real terms increase in their defence budgets in 2023, the largest increase in decades. Eleven Allies meet or exceed the benchmark this year, and this number is expected to grow substantially in 2024.
Allies also discussed the challenges that a “coercive” China poses to Euro-Atlantic security and values. “China is not our adversary, and we should continue to engage,” the Secretary General said, while stressing that “Beijing’s increasing assertiveness affects our security” and challenges the rules-based international order. On Wednesday, Allies will meet the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as the European Union.
📖 Read the Communiqué: www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/of...
🗣 | NATO Secretary General:
Good evening.
NATO Heads of State and Government took important decisions at a critical moment for our security.
We welcomed Finland as a full-fledged member of the Alliance.
And we look forward to welcoming Sweden as a full member of the Alliance,
based on the agreement I reached last night with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Kristersson.
We also addressed Ukraine.
Since we last met a year ago at our Madrid Summit, NATO Allies have delivered unprecedented support to Ukraine.
With more ammunition, more modern equipment, and more training to the Ukrainian forces.
Today, Allies have agreed a package of three elements to bring Ukraine closer to NATO.
First, a new multi-year assistance programme for Ukraine.
To enable the transition from Soviet-era to NATO standards, training and doctrines.
To help rebuild Ukraine’s security and defence sector.
And to cover critical needs like fuel, demining equipment, and medical supplies.
Second, a new NATO-Ukraine Council.
A forum for crisis consultations and decision-making.
Where we will meet as equals.
And I look forward to having the inaugural meeting of the Council tomorrow with President Zelenskyy.
Third, we reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO.
And agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan.
This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process.
We also made it clear that we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree and conditions are met.
This is a strong package for Ukraine.
And a clear path towards its membership in NATO.
Transcript continues: www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/ne...
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#NATO #NATOSummit #VilniusSummit

[@juhamikkonen]

Jens Stoltenberg is a fine politician and a skillful diplomat.

[@teddinardo8944]

all the best

[@gherkamum]

Finland & Sweden welcome to Nato.❤

[@divinerespect309]

Welcome Finland 🇫🇮 🇺🇸. Strong alliance in Nato.🌏

[@2012docray]

Surely NATO can afford to place 4 available microphones in four corners of the room so one guy doesn't have to squeeze through the chairs to get to the intended speaker.

[@ruththomson4601]

If I were Putin, I would see the writing on the wall. I would feel deflated and begin to think about how to get out of this mess: the whole world posed against me.

[@howardinothegreat136]

Congrats vladi, you got what you wanted👍🇳🇴🙏🇺🇦😊

[@AstraI]

sweden, finland, military alliance with ukraine lol vlads crying

[@theroldan8013]

The world iis happy!!! What a lovely day

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

God bless Jens Stoltenberg. What a tough job and how he carries it with grace. Also God bless Ukraine.

[@joseraultrejopichardo9729]

Me gusta mucho🎉

[@robertlarge8185]

Why won't Stoltenberg answer the question on what the conditions are? I imagine the war ending and democratisation of the country being two, but why is he so hesitant to outline those conditions?

[@ARTUROmechanika]

Grant Ukraine the status of an associate member of NATO and issue an ultimatum to Muscovy to get out of this country. Tomorrow.

[@jeffreyespinassiao1398]

Congratulations 🎉to Finland ❤

[@jakel8627]

Let's be blunt, NATO wont commit to a time frame for Ukraine to join because if Russian forces don't leave Ukraine, then NATO will either have to break its promise or fight Russian forces directly. No doubt this made some in NATO nervous.

[@BrendanZA]

I read between the lines that Ukraine and many citizens around the world would have loved to have seen NATO forego accession rules for Ukraine and immediately make them NATO members from today. That would suddenly pit NATO against Russia and Putin's reaction would not be a sane reaction. NATO is still not prepared yet for a full-scale WW3 in terms of weapons, ammunition, manpower or logistics. I see the method to their decisions in that NATO needs to help Ukraine win and to force Russia to capitulate, whilst buying time to build NATO to the point of being able to wage a full-scale war with Russia or even China.

[@kummer45]

You are out of your mind. The intention is to stop Russia progress of decimating nations under their oligarchic rule and autocracy. No one wants to start a skirmish with Russia but we can't let Russia have Ukraine. Those are the terms.

[@derekarnold3665]

Agree with your first points, but the last thing NATO wants is a full scale war against Russia. As for China nobody in their right mind is going to launch a full-scale war against China.

[@Mackmallable]

Full scale war with Russia has been possible for years, not sure what buildup your talking about. Why would NATO openly fight Russia when they can accomplish their goals without doing so? Why would NATO engage in a war and allow China the opportunity to attack Taiwan? NATO does not add members to weaken themselves. Ukraine is welcome to join post war.

[@Al-hk6yi]

what you say is half true, the wrong part is.. NATO dont want to cause a WW3 and to ground zero Russia as much as have casualties all over the world... Russia wouldnt even last one week without a massive use of nuclear weapons.

[@phantasm1902]

Who wants full scale war?

[@doczySVK]

Awesome news 👍. Great to hear deeper cooperation between Ukraine & NATO 🇸🇰 🇪🇺 ❤ 🇺🇦.

[@harddgril546]

When did Georgia enter Nato

[@jacquescoeckelberghs2535]

We all understand that Ukraine needs military, financial, practical and hands-on help in every problem war causes and I'm sure Nato will provide that, just like te EU will speed up their proces of accession. The shortest 'timeframe' towards Nato was met by Finland, within 14 months. Nato won't permit that Russia prolongs the war in order to hinder its accession. That has been taken into consideration, as is a possible change in government in the USA

[@cjmatulka8321]

Good man to have at the helm of NATO at this point in history and it is a very difficult chapter. Go Ukraine!

[@harddgril546]

Come on Georgia

[@nkwenyicelestin5431]

NATO should help close the Ukrainian skies to help safe lives from the reckless airstrike from the Russian aggressors. UKRAINIAN lives matter

[@tampad854]

What is best for Russia I may ask? Join NATO and let peace spread accross the world!!

[@nkwenyicelestin5431]

this decision for Ukraine to join NATO should be decided fast,because Russia is determined to destroy Ukraine at all cost

[@ruththomson4601]

Mention of Asia and of Europe joining on the international stage is very nice. The world is coming together and this agreement makes exceptional promises for peace. ❤