Exactly a month after Russia began invading Ukraine, leaders of NATO, the G7 and the European Union have convened a trio of summits in Brussels to coordinate the next phase of the Western response.
The newest: All 30 NATO leaders issued a joint statement condemning the invasion of Russia and pledged to provide Ukraine “assistance in areas such as cybersecurity and protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.” G7 leaders are now meeting behind closed doors.
What you say: Speaking via video link at the NATO summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the alliance: “Please don’t ever tell us again that our army doesn’t meet NATO standards.” We have shown what our standards are capable of. And how much we can give.” for common security in Europe and the world.”
- Zelenskyy has criticized NATO for refusing to establish a no-fly zone or supply Ukraine with fighter jets or tanks, saying the lack of a “clear answer” is leading to mass deaths and the destruction of Ukrainian cities.
- He called for specific weapons – tanks, fighter jets, multiple launch missile systems (MLRS), anti-ship weapons and air defense systems – and warned that Russia “does not intend and will not” stop in Ukraine.
NATO leaders pose for a “family photo”. Photo: Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Driving the news: President Biden announced that the US, in coordination with the EU and the G7, would impose sanctions on over 600 Russian elites, lawmakers and defense contractors.
- The G7 and EU also announced a sanctions evasion initiative to enforce current penalties, including by “clarifying that all transactions in gold related to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation are covered by existing sanctions.”
- NATO allies said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will stay a year after his term expires in September to maintain stability during the crisis in Ukraine.
- The UK announced just before the start of the summit that it would impose 65 new Russia-related sanctions, including on the London-based stepdaughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the pro-Russian mayor based in occupied Melitopol.
From left: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (averted), French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian President Justin Trudeau before the G7 talks. Photo: Henry Nicholls/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesOther highlights
NATO Summit: Stoltenberg announced on Wednesday that NATO would double its military presence on the eastern flank and deploy four new multinational “battlegroups” in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
- The move is part of a broader “reset” in NATO’s long-term defense and deterrence strategy, which could include a permanent US troop presence in the Baltic states.
- The joint statement by leaders promised to “accelerate NATO’s transformation towards a more dangerous strategic reality” and to take further steps at the next NATO summit in Madrid in July.
G7 Summit: In addition to new sanctions initiatives, G7 leaders are expected to warn Vladimir Putin about using chemical or nuclear weapons, a scenario Western officials fear is becoming increasingly likely as the war in Ukraine turns into a grueling one stalemate becomes.
European Council: The US and EU are close to an agreement to supply American liquefied natural gas to help European countries like Germany wean off Russian energy.
- The EU is not expected to agree on a major new sanctions package as enthusiasm for imposing additional costs on Russia that could contribute to a recession in Europe has faltered.
- Zelensky is expected to speak at the EU summit later Thursday, and President Biden will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. ET.
Between the lines: While Russia dominated discussions in Brussels, NATO leaders also called on China to “stop propagating the Kremlin’s false narratives, particularly about the war and NATO, and to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.
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