NATO Defence Ministers met to address the Alliance’s deterrence and defence, as well as support to Ukraine.
Addressing the media following the meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pointed to “historic progress” in increased defence investment. “By the end of 2024, European Allies and Canada will have added more than 600 billion dollars for defence since we made the Defence Investment Pledge,” he said.
Minsters also discussed progress in ramping up ammunition production. “This helps Ukraine, makes NATO stronger, and provides more highly-skilled jobs in Europe and North America,” Mr Stoltenberg said.
Ministers addressed the deteriorating security environment. The Secretary General confirmed that while “we do not see any imminent military threat against the Alliance, NATO continues to ensure there is no room for miscalculation in Moscow about our readiness to protect all Allies.” With Steadfast Defender 24, the largest NATO exercise in decades, currently ongoing, Allies are demonstrating capabilities and testing their ability to swiftly move forces across the Alliance to defend the eastern flank.
A group of Allies is coming together with the goal of delivering one million drones to Ukraine, and 20 NATO Allies have agreed to form a demining coalition for Ukraine. NATO’s Allied Command Transformation next edition of the NATO Innovation Challenge will focus on remote mine clearance operations.
At the meeting, Defence Ministers also decided to create a new NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Poland to share lessons learned from Russia’s war and create a structure for Ukrainian forces to learn and train alongside their Allied counterparts. Allied Command Transformation is supporting the creation of the Centre, and the establishment of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a military body that provides situational awareness and military coordination and assistance efforts to Ukraine. Through the U.S.-led Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, Allied Command Transformation facilitates that sharing of lessons to improve the security situation in Ukraine.
“Together, NATO Allies account for 99% of all military aid to Ukraine and our continued commitment is essential to preserving Ukraine’s freedom,” Mr Stoltenberg concluded. “We will continue to stand with Ukraine, for Ukraine’s security, and for ours.”