NATO Summit 2022: A Renewed Commitment to European Security
Introduction
Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the importance of big global changes while they’re happening. Our analysis, instincts, and actions are rooted in what we already know, not fully appreciating the new environment in which we find ourselves. We focus on the past when what we really should do is urgently focus on the future.
In this article, we will delve into the key outcomes and developments from the NATO Summit 2022 held in Vilnius, Lithuania. We will discuss the renewed commitment of the alliance to defend its member states, address security challenges, and respond to Russian aggression. Additionally, we will explore the changing nature of European security, the role of Ukraine in NATO, and the need for a clear path to membership for Ukraine.
The NATO Summit Outcomes
The NATO Summit in Vilnius was marked by significant achievements and reaffirmation of the alliance’s core principles. The following key outcomes emerged:
- Reiteration of the “iron” commitment to defend every inch of NATO’s territory.
- Reaffirmation of NATO’s nuclear strategy.
- Adoption of defense plans for all regions within the alliance.
- Pledge for each member state to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense.
- Welcoming of Finland as a new member, with the Swedish ratification process nearing completion.
- Commitment to strengthen the eastern flank in response to Russian aggression.
Turkey’s Realignment and a Unified NATO
One of the most positive yet less reported developments of the NATO Summit was Turkey’s realignment with its allies on critical issues. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved Sweden’s NATO membership ratification, expressed support for Ukraine’s admission, and reached an agreement with the US regarding the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets for Turkey. These developments signify a more unified NATO and a stronger alliance capable of defending its member states.
The Changing Nature of European Security
The NATO Summit took place in a significantly changed European security landscape. With Russia’s territorial expansion aspirations and its aggressive actions in Ukraine, the region is facing unprecedented challenges. The invasion of Ukraine by Moscow has had profound implications for European security, altering the strategic calculus and necessitating a reevaluation of NATO’s approach.
Historically, NATO could afford to keep potential member states waiting for years, focusing on reforms and geopolitical considerations before enlargement decisions. However, under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, the Kremlin has explicitly pursued territorial expansion to reestablish a Russian empire. This has triggered a major conflict in Europe, disrupting economies, displacing millions of people, and straining defense resources. The situation in Ukraine is a clear indication that the same security strategy used in the past may not work for the future.
The Role of Ukraine in European Security
Ukraine, as a frontline state in the ongoing conflict with Russia, plays a crucial role in European security. The country has shown remarkable military capabilities and shares the values on which NATO is founded. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is an assault on these shared values and poses a direct threat to Europe as a whole.
Despite Ukraine’s significant contributions and alignment with NATO’s principles, the Vilnius Summit fell short in providing a clear path to membership for Ukraine. The language used in the summit’s resolutions lacks the necessary commitment to fulfill Ukraine’s aspiration of becoming a NATO member. This missed opportunity reflects a lack of understanding of the evolving European security landscape and the urgency to address the changing dynamics.
Addressing the Contradiction
NATO’s commitment to the security of its member states contradicts its hesitance to extend a clear invitation to Ukraine for membership. With an imperialist and nuclear-armed Russia infringing upon the sovereignty of neighboring countries, it becomes crucial for NATO to embrace Ukraine as a member to fulfill its mission of defending Europe.
A failure to address this contradiction could have severe consequences in the long run. If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it will embolden Putin to target other EU and NATO member states, such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and even Finland. These countries, with historical ties to the Russian empire, rely on NATO’s protection and the solidarity of the alliance. The situation demands urgent action and a firm commitment to Ukraine’s membership.
Conclusion
The NATO Summit 2022 in Vilnius demonstrated the alliance’s determination to defend its member states and address security challenges in the face of Russian aggression. The outcomes of the summit highlighted NATO’s unity and renewed commitment to European security. However, the lack of a clear path to membership for Ukraine indicates a failure to fully understand the changing dynamics and risks posed by Russia’s expansionist agenda.
To ensure the future security of Europe, NATO must embrace Ukraine as a member and provide the necessary support to counter Russian aggression effectively. By doing so, the alliance can safeguard its values, protect its member states, and maintain peace and stability in the region.
Summary:
The NATO Summit 2022 in Vilnius reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to defend its member states, address security challenges, and respond to Russian aggression. The summit outcomes included the reiteration of NATO’s territorial defense commitment, reaffirmation of its nuclear strategy, adoption of defense plans for all regions, and a pledge to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. Furthermore, the welcoming of Finland as a new member and the strengthening of the alliance’s eastern flank demonstrated NATO’s unity and increased capability to defend its member states.
However, the summit failed to provide a clear path to NATO membership for Ukraine, despite its significant military capabilities and alignment with NATO’s values. This reflects a lack of understanding of the evolving European security landscape and the urgency to address Russia’s aggression. Without a clear commitment to Ukraine’s membership, Europe remains vulnerable to further Russian expansionist actions. To fulfill its mission of defending Europe, NATO must embrace Ukraine as a member and provide the necessary support to counter Russian aggression effectively.
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The writer is a former US special envoy to Ukraine and a former US ambassador to NATO.
Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the importance of big global changes while they’re happening. Our analysis, instincts and actions are rooted in what we already know, not fully appreciating the new environment in which we find ourselves. We focus on the past when what we really should do is urgently focus on the future.
This is perhaps the best explanation of what happened this week at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The alliance did very well what it already knows how to do. It reiterated its “iron” commitment to defend every inch of its territory, reaffirmed NATO’s nuclear strategy, adopted defense plans for all the alliance’s regions, pledged once again that each member state spend spent at least 2 percent of GDP on defense and addressed a wide range of security challenges.
Finland was welcomed as a new member; The Swedish ratification process should be completed soon. NATO the members also pledged to strengthen their eastern flank in response to Russian aggression.
Perhaps the most positive and least reported development of the past week is Turkey’s realignment with the rest of its allies on some critical issues. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan relented on his objections to ratifying Sweden’s NATO membership, spoke in favor of Ukraine’s admission, approved more shipments of Bayraktar drones to Ukraine and reached an agreement with the US on the acquisition of F-16 for Turkey. .
All of these developments show a NATO that is more unified and capable of defending its member states than it has been for years. These are the positive results. But as much as the members criticized Russia invasion of ukraine, and continue to provide kyiv with weapons to defend itself, do not seem to have understood what the invasion of Moscow means for European security. In fact, it has changed everything.
Until now, NATO could afford to keep would-be members in a holding pattern for years, insisting on reform and weighing the geopolitical ramifications of each enlargement decision. With relative peace in Europe, it was safe to assume that the same security strategy used in the past would work in the future.
But under Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has explicitly adopted a policy of territorial expansion aimed at reconstituting a Russian empire. He has launched a great war in Europe that has affected every country on the continent, and many beyond. The war has already forced millions of Ukrainian refugees to relocate to neighboring European countries, caused massive inflation (partly due to power outages), disrupted the world’s food supply and Black Sea shipping, caused further economic dislocations due to sanctions policies and the need to support the Ukrainian state. budget and stretched European defense resources.
If Putin is not defeated in the Ukraine, it will only get worse. In his quest to rebuild the Empire, he would then turn his sights to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and even Finland, all the EU and NATO member states that were formerly part of the Russian empire and that the alliance is obligated to protect. If the war stops in the Ukraine, Russia will simply regroup and prepare to attack again. With an authoritarian and imperialist Russia around the corner, no one in Europe is safe. This is, after all, what convinced Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership last year.
However, at the summit, NATO offered no guarantees beyond what it said in 2008 when it said that Ukraine would become a member one day. There is no real process to achieve that goal. In fact, the Vilnius language can be seen as weaker, emphasizing that an invitation will be offered only when “all allies agree” (meaning they currently do not) and when “conditions are met” (meaning means that there are still conditions to be fulfilled) . The exact nature of these conditions remains vague.
This is not just a missed opportunity. It reflects a lack of understanding that the nature of European security has changed. Currently, Ukraine is doing NATO’s job: fighting to defend the border of a free Europe. It is more militarily capable than most allies and upholds the values on which NATO is founded. Russia is attacking Ukraine because it seeks to defeat those values: Kyiv being stuck in the NATO waiting room is a green light for Putin to strike again.
On the part of Ukraine, it must, of course, first win the war, which it is gradually doing. It must also continue to press the case for NATO membership and accelerate its adoption by the EU. heritage necessary for accession. There is no future for Ukraine outside of these blocs.
There is now a fundamental contradiction between NATO’s commitment to alliance security and its refusal to give Ukraine a clear path to membership. With an imperialist, nuclear-armed Russia claiming swaths of territory belonging to other countries, and imposing a proxy war across the continent, it is hard to see how NATO can fulfill its mission of defending Europe without accepting Ukraine as a member. . . This is the contradiction that urgently needs to be addressed, so that a firm invitation can be extended when the allies meet again next year.
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