NATO summit begins with a major boost in aid to Ukraine

NATO’s 32 heads of state and government began their summit in Washington on Tuesday with a ceremony commemorating NATO 75 years of alliance in which the host, US President Joe Biden, strong reinforcement of Ukraine’s air defense by the Allies.

“Today, NATO is more powerful than ever, with the strength of 32 nations,” Biden said at the commemoration ceremony at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in the U.S. capital, where Allied leaders gathered to celebrate the signing of the NATO treaty at the same location on April 4, 1949.

The American President announced a “historical donation” of air defense equipment for Ukraine from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy, which will arrive in Kiev in the coming months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is also in Washington to take part in the summit, said he had achieved a “tangible result” after seeing one of his main requests fulfilled, namely the delivery of Patriot systems.

In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg focused his speech on the crucial moment the Alliance is going through, stressing that Russia’s war on Ukraine is “the biggest security crisis in generations.” The Norwegian politician acknowledged that the Allies’ support for Ukraine has not been easy and that it entails “costs and risks” in the face of an “aggressive Russia”: “The big risk will be if Russia defeats Ukraine. We can’t let that happen” he indicated.

Allied leaders will begin their summit working sessions on Wednesday aimed at strengthening their deterrence and defense policies, and on Thursday they will participate in a NATO-Ukraine Council and a meeting with Pacific partners, where they will address the challenge posed by China.