Ukraine war: Nato meeting jump-starts unprecedented trio of summits in Europe
- Brussels is hosting an extraordinary gathering of leaders in a one-trio of summits; sends a signal to Russia while ensuring Nato allies remain on the same page
- Ukraine’s president urged alliance to step up military help to help his country fight an enemy whose massive arsenal is being deployed ‘without limitation’
President Joe Biden arrived at Nato headquarters in Brussels on Thursday for a day of summits, seeking to keep the 30-nation alliance united in its effort to isolate and punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The extraordinary gathering of leaders, planned in just days, was convened largely to send a signal of resolve to Russian President Vladimir Putin while ensuring Nato allies remain on the same page as they plot additional measures against Moscow and prepare for scenarios that could draw them deeper into the conflict.
“We are determined to continue to impose consequences on Russia to bring about an end to this brutal war,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said as he opened the meeting, expressing support for Ukraine, recognising “the great courage” of its people and of those inside Russia “who are bravely speaking out against the war.”
“We hear the voices,” he said. “They matter.”
Stoltenberg announced Wednesday that Nato was likely to formalise a decision to double the number of battle groups on its eastern flank, which would mean deploying more forces to Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. The alliance has already doubled its initial troop presence along the eastern flank since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.