NATO Chief in Washington for Ukraine Discussions

President Biden welcomed NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg to the White House on Monday, less than a month before the Western alliance convenes its annual meeting in the U.S. capital. As reported by Voice of America correspondent Anita Powell, 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, which will focus on continuing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

President Joe Biden praised the alliance’s efforts, stating that a “record number” of countries are meeting their NATO commitment to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.

“NATO was founded 75 years ago. It’s important to note that the lesson we’ve learned is the alliance’s unity to defend and deter aggression. Under your leadership, NATO has become larger, stronger, and more united than ever,” President Biden told Stoltenberg.

Earlier on Monday, Stoltenberg stated that NATO allies had provided “unprecedented” support for Ukraine. He noted that this 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 delivery of security assistance and training for Ukraine. This is why I proposed a long-term financial commitment with new funds each year. The more credible our long-term support, the sooner Moscow will understand that it cannot prolong the conflict, and the sooner this war will end. It may seem paradoxical, but the path to peace is more weapons for Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said.

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

“However, the key issues are what the alliance tells Ukraine after promises of support in recent weeks? What will be the nature of NATO-Ukraine relations? NATO is taking over from the United States in providing military aid and coordinating military training for Ukraine. This is a major step currently underway,” said Dan Hamilton of the Brookings Institution.

Last week, the President of Ukraine 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 states that America in the future supports Ukraine’s NATO membership and acknowledges that our security agreement is a bridge to Ukraine’s NATO membership,” President Zelenskyy said.

This bridge may be long, analyst Hamilton noted, pointing out that other countries are also making bilateral commitments to Ukraine.

“Essentially, some of them are pledging mutual defense. Others are promising long-term military support. So Ukrainians can count on this support,” said Dan Hamilton of the Brookings Institution.

The analyst added that NATO is also considering how the war might end, with growing awareness of threats beyond the North Atlantic, reflected in plans for leaders from Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand to attend the NATO meeting starting on July 9 in the U.S. capital.