The head of NATO, in Washington for Ukraine

2024-06-18 16:17:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The head of NATO, in Washington for Ukraine

Jens Stoltenberg and Joe Biden, source AP

President Biden hosted the head of NATO at the White House on Monday, less than a month before the Western alliance gathers for its annual meeting in the US capital. As Voice of America correspondent Anita Powell reports, the two leaders discussed long-term support for Ukraine as the country faces Russian aggression.

As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization marks its 75th anniversary, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Washington to discuss plans for the July meeting, where they will talk about continuing support for Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

President Joe Biden praised the alliance's work, saying a "record number" of countries are fulfilling their commitment to NATO to spend at least 2 percent of domestic production on defense.

"NATO was founded 75 years ago. It is important to say that the lesson we have learned is the unity of the alliance to defend and deter aggression. Under your leadership, NATO has become bigger, stronger and more united than ever," President Biden addressed Mr. Stoltenberg.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Stoltenberg said NATO allies had provided "unprecedented" support for Ukraine. He said it would cost the alliance at least $45 billion a year.

"At the July meeting I expect other leaders to agree that NATO should lead the coordination and provision of security and training assistance to Ukraine. That is why I proposed a long-term financial commitment with new funds each year. The more reliable our long-term support, the sooner Moscow will realize that it cannot prolong the conflict, and the sooner this war will end. It may seem like a paradox, but the path to peace is more weapons for Ukraine."

Analysts say these discussions are setting the agenda for the next meeting.

"However, the main issues are what does the alliance say to Ukraine after the pledges of support in recent weeks? What will be the nature of NATO-Ukraine relations? NATO is taking over from the United States military assistance and coordination of military training for Ukraine. A major step that's happening right now," says Dan Hamilton with the Brookings Institution.

Last week, Ukraine's president praised a 10-year security agreement with the United States, saying it paves the way for Ukraine's NATO membership.

"The issue of NATO is included in the text of the agreement. It says that America supports Ukraine's membership in NATO in the future and recognizes that our security agreement is a bridge to Ukraine's membership in NATO," President Zelenskyy said.

This bridge may be long, says analyst Hamilton, noting that other countries are also undertaking bilateral engagements with Ukraine.

"Essentially, some of them are pledging mutual protection. Others promise military support for a longer period of time. So the Ukrainians can count on this support," says Dan Hamilton with the Brookings Institution.

How the war might end is also on NATO's radar, the analyst says, as is growing awareness of threats across the North Atlantic, as reflected in plans by the leaders of Japan, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand. to participate in the NATO meeting that begins on July 9 in the American capital./ VOA