Jens Stoltenberg et Olaf Scholz précisent que le sommet de l’Otan mi-juillet ne débouchera pas sur une “invitation formelle” à Kiev à rejoindre l’Alliance.
A few days after approving his first national security strategy, which includes the highest military spending since the Second World War, the German Chancellor reiterated his vision of the Alliance’s role.
Olaf Scholz declared: “NATO is and remains the central guarantor of our collective security. We will use a large part of the Bundeswehr for the defense of vulnerable areas of the Alliance.”
A few days after approving his first national security strategy, which includes the highest military spending since the Second World War, the German Chancellor reiterated his vision of the Alliance’s role.
Olaf Scholz declared: “NATO is and remains the central guarantor of our collective security. We will use a large part of the Bundeswehr for the defense of vulnerable areas of the Alliance.”
Germany hosts Air Defender
Jens Stoltenberg is in Germany as the country has been hosting the Air Defender exercise, the largest air exercise in Nato’s history, which runs until June 23 and brings together some 250 military aircraft from 25 Nato member and partner countries, including Japan and Sweden, a country applying for membership of the Alliance. Up to 10,000 people are taking part in the exercises, which are designed to strengthen Nato air cooperation and protection against drones and cruise missiles in the event of an attack on cities, airports or ports on Nato territory.
Up to 220 military flights a day are carried out in three corridors to the north, south and east of Germany. Contrary to widespread concern, civil air transport was less disrupted than expected, with 22,000 minutes of delay per day instead of 55,000.
The war in Ukraine could last
Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Berlin’s initiative to devote 2% of its GDP to defense by 2024. For the NATO boss, this should be “a floor, not a ceiling”. Because the war in Ukraine could last.
Ukraine has the right to liberate its territory, and a counter-offensive is underway,” insisted Jens Stoltenberg. The more land the Ukrainians manage to liberate, the more weight they will have at the negotiating table. “
The two leaders discussed the Nato summit on July 11 and 12, which will not result in a “formal invitation” to Kiev to join the Alliance.