Nato allies to agree on ‘substantial’ package for Ukraine, Stoltenberg saysJens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, is now addressing reporters in Washington.This will be a historic summit, he said, adding that the alliance will do more than celebrate its 75th anniversary, but “make important decisions” for the future.“On Ukraine, I expect allies to agree a substantial package,” he said.This will include five parts, according to Stoltenberg:
Nato command to provide security assistance and training
A long-term pledge to continue sustaining support
New announcements of immediate support, including air defence
New bilateral security agreements
Stepping up work on interoperability
“All together, these five elements constitute a strong bridge for Ukraine to membership of the alliance, and I’m confident that allies will then reiterate the commitment to that Ukraine will become a member of Nato,” he added.Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg delivers remarks at NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, July 10. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/ReutersShareUpdated at 13.28 BSTKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature“Friends. Partners. Allies.”ShareA strong Nato is in America’s interest, secretary-general argues in WashingtonAsked about the impact of the upcoming US election, Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, said that “I expect that regardless of the outcome of the US elections, the US will remain a strong and staunch Nato ally.”“It is in the US security interest to have a strong Nato, he said.He also said he believes the US will remain a strong ally due to “broad bipartisan support for Nato.”Stoltenberg also stressed: “The main criticism from president Trump and also from others against Nato has actually not primarily been against Nato, it has been against Nato allies not spending enough on Nato – and this has really changed.”“Just over the last years, we have seen a dramatic increase in defence spending across Europe and Canada,” he added.ShareUpdated at 13.34 BSTNato allies to agree on ‘substantial’ package for Ukraine, Stoltenberg saysJens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, is now addressing reporters in Washington.This will be a historic summit, he said, adding that the alliance will do more than celebrate its 75th anniversary, but “make important decisions” for the future.“On Ukraine, I expect allies to agree a substantial package,” he said.This will include five parts, according to Stoltenberg:
Nato command to provide security assistance and training
A long-term pledge to continue sustaining support
New announcements of immediate support, including air defence
New bilateral security agreements
Stepping up work on interoperability
“All together, these five elements constitute a strong bridge for Ukraine to membership of the alliance, and I’m confident that allies will then reiterate the commitment to that Ukraine will become a member of Nato,” he added.Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg delivers remarks at NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, July 10. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/ReutersShareUpdated at 13.28 BST’No peace initiatives can be based on Russia’s narratives,’ Ukraine tells HungaryThe Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has met with his Hungarian counterpart, days after the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, controversially travelled to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin.Kuleba said:
I briefed Peter on the situation on the frontline as well as the preparations for the second Peace summit. In this context, I emphasized that no peace initiatives can be based on Russia’s narratives.
The recent Russian attack on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital demonstrates once again that accommodating Putin does not deliver because he continues to seek war, and we must jointly make him to accept just and lasting peace.
Met with my Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó.I briefed Peter on the situation on the frontline as well as the preparations for the second Peace summit. In this context, I emphasized that no peace initiatives can be based on Russia’s narratives.The recent Russian attack… pic.twitter.com/3TZ9RXF311— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) July 10, 2024

ShareUpdated at 13.23 BSTBritain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, indicated that Ukraine can use long-range missiles supplied by the UK to strike military targets in Russia, AFP reported.Starmer told reporters that decisions on the use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were for the Ukrainian armed forces.UK military aid is “for defensive purposes but it is for Ukraine to decide how to deploy it for those defensive purposes,” he said.ShareThe British foreign secretary, David Lammy, has called for Russia to immediately release Russian-British citizen Vladimir Kara-Murza on humanitarian grounds.
Vladimir is being held in deplorable conditions in prison for having the courage to tell the truth about the war in Ukraine.
His absurd 25-year sentence shows the Kremlin’s deep fear that more Russians will know the reality of Putin’s illegal war – and is further evidence of the targeted repression of the opposition.
I am extremely concerned that Vladimir’s lawyers are being denied access to him in prison hospital, and that the Russian authorities continue to refuse him consular assistance from the British Embassy.
I was particularly moved when I met his wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, and mother, Elena Gordon, previously. Their determination and tireless campaigning are inspiring, and I look forward to meeting them again soon.
ShareRussia said today that its military was still working to create a “buffer zone” in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Reuters reported. “Of course, the realisation of this task is time-consuming, it takes time. Work in this direction is under way,” the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said when asked how long it would take for Russia to guarantee the security of Belgorod.ShareA behind the scenes view from the French ambassador to Nato, Muriel Domenach.ShareSweden is participating in this week’s Nato summit as a full member of the alliance for the first time.The #NATOSummit in Washington DC 🇺🇸 is in full swing. Sweden participates as a full member for the first time. With 🇸🇪 in NATO, the Alliance is stronger and Sweden is safer. Key decisions on deterrence and defence as well as support to Ukraine to be taken. #1NATO75years https://t.co/cKdGhGbZML— Sweden at NATO (@SwedenNato) July 10, 2024

ShareMargus Tsahkna, the Estonian foreign minister, outlined his priorities for the summit, including keeping “Nato’s attention on the most significant threat to to the Euro-Atlantic security – Russia.”Laid out #Estonia’s 3⃣ priorities at the ongoing #NATOSummit: 🔹continuous political & military support to #Ukraine 🇺🇦🔹strengthening the defence & deterrence posture of the Allies🔹keep NATO’s attention on the most significant threat to to the Euro-Atlantic security – Russia pic.twitter.com/kltHrCIxo9— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) July 10, 2024

ShareSpeaking in Washington last night, the EU’s foreign policy, Josep Borrell, called on both the US and Europe to step up on defence.
I am happy to have heard, a moment ago, President Biden say that Russia cannot prevail.
For that, we have to increase our industrial capacity, putting more money on the table, more technological development. We did that during the Euro crisis. We did that during the pandemic. We will do it again to rebuild our defence.
But allow me to remind you that the awakening of Europe – as much needed as it is – should not imply that the US should rest easy.
Allow me to say to you that the 6 months spent by the Congress to discuss US military support to Ukraine – ‘Yes, we do. No, we don’t. We finally do’ – has come with a bill in terms of human lives losses. [It] has come with a bill in terms of weakening the capacity of Ukraine to defend itself.
We have to overcome this kind of discussions, all of us on both sides of the Atlantic.
We have to join our forces in order to fight against the challenge that Russia represents, today as it was 75 years ago.
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