As expected, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, is the first item on the agenda of the NATO summit. The summit’s final declaration, accepted by all member states, emphasized that Russia is the “greatest and most direct threat” to the security of the alliance.
NATO was founded on April 4, 1949 by 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and France, with the aim of creating a bloc centered around Russia to check Soviet expansion into Europe. At the summit marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the alliance, Russia again emerged as the greatest threat.
At the summit, the 32 member states agreed that Ukraine had “embarked on an irreversible path” toward eventual NATO membership, although no date for membership was set. “As Ukraine takes these important steps, we support Ukraine on its irreversible path toward Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” the final declaration read.
The most important outcome for Ukraine at the summit was the launch of two NATO allies’ deployment of F-16 fighter jets, one from Denmark and the other from the Netherlands, which are due to begin using them by the end of the summer.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said F-16s will fly over Ukrainian skies this summer.
The Kiev regime has been demanding advanced fighter jets since the start of the war, and the F-16s represent Kiev’s first positive response to this demand.
Some NATO allies, led by the Netherlands and Denmark, have been training Ukrainian pilots since last year.
Belgium and Norway also made the list.
Belgium and Norway have also decided to donate fighter jets to Ukraine, with the F-16s being provided with weapons, maintenance and pilot training.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gaer Storr announced that Norway will donate at least six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The Oslo administration will also send $300 million worth of F-16 munitions to Ukraine.
Ukraine has been promised about $43.3 billion in military aid next year, a package that also includes air defense systems.
Strengthening air defenses is essential for Ukraine as it fights under Russian occupation.
Member states also agreed to establish a special task force to train and coordinate military assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Russia’s response
According to the Russian state news agency TASS, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the plans to send F-16s to Ukraine “demonstrate that the United States is leading a warring group against Russia.”
