ato has agreed to a “fundamental shift,” returning it to Cold War-esque readiness to respond to Russia’s increased threat.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it had been proven that Vladimir Putin was “completely wrong” about the strength of the defense alliance, which will expand to Sweden and Finland after ending decades of neutrality over concerns over Russia.
Leaders of NATO’s 30 members met in Madrid to agree on a new plan for the alliance in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The move means 300,000 troops on high alert next year, up from the current level of 40,000, although details on how that will be achieved and what the UK contribution will be have not yet been handed out.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Today NATO leaders decided on a fundamental shift in our defense and deterrence to respond to a new security reality.”
Heavy equipment will be deployed in eastern NATO members, along with stockpiles, while troops from western members will be assigned specific regions on the eastern flank to protect in conjunction with local forces.
“This is the first time since the Cold War that we have plans like this with pre-allocated troops,” Stoltenberg said.
NATO leaders were addressed by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticized them for not doing enough to equip his troops or grant his country membership in the alliance.
Via a video link from Kiev, he said Ukraine’s resistance is protecting NATO members.
He asked: “Hasn’t our contribution to the defense of Europe and the whole civilization been enough? What else is needed?
But Mr Stoltenberg said: “Ukraine can count on us as long as it is needed.
“Allies will continue to provide major military and financial aid.”
The alliance agreed to a new assistance package, including communications kit, fuel, medical supplies and body armor, along with mine-fighting equipment and anti-drone systems.
The new strategic concept adopted by NATO makes it clear that Russia poses “the most significant and immediate threat” to security.
Johnson met with the leaders of Sweden and Finland to congratulate them on moving one step closer to NATO membership after Turkey dropped its objections.
The prime minister said: “Today’s first lesson is that if Vladimir Putin hoped he would get less NATO on his western front as a result of his unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine, he’s been completely wrong, he’s getting more Born.”
As part of the UK’s efforts to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, the British presence in Estonia will be strengthened.
The prime minister urged alliance leaders to increase their defense budgets, but he is under pressure to do more on UK military spending.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who is also attending the Madrid summit, said that while he has enough money for the “here and now”, additional investment is needed in the next round of government spending from the middle of the decade.
“My (expense) arrangement was done before Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Russia is very, very dangerous on the world stage,” he told Sky News.
“The world is less safe than it was two or three years ago, and it looks like this won’t change for the rest of the decade.
“That’s the time, in the middle of the decade, to say we need to push for more funding.”
Downing Street defended the government’s track record on funding, stressing that the benefits of new technology and equipment outweigh the cuts in soldier numbers.
The spat comes after the Chief of General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, warned that further cuts to the size of the British army would be “perverse”.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said: “We still believe that with this massive increase in defense funding, we made the right decision because it would be wrong, given what we see happening before our eyes, to focus only on numbers. if we can see the impact that the latest technologies, equipment, training and intelligence have.
“We’re confident we can essentially do both with this £24bn extra going into our armed forces.”
US President Joe Biden said two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons will be sent to the UK, while a new permanent headquarters will be established in Poland as part of his commitment to the alliance.
“Today I announce that the United States will bolster our forces in Europe and respond to the changing security environment and strengthen our collective security,” he said.
NATO’s new strategy also recognizes China’s emergence as an economic and military power.
The allies say Beijing’s coercive policies “challenge our interests, security and values”.
Secretary of State Liz Truss used a performance at the summit to warn that “with China expanding its influence through economic coercion and building a capable military, there is a real risk that they will get the wrong idea, resulting in a catastrophic miscalculation.” like invading Taiwan”.
She said: “That’s exactly what we saw in the case of Ukraine, a strategic miscalculation by Putin, so that’s why it’s so important for the free world to work together to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and to emphasize the importance of peace.” and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”