Wed 10 July 2024:
US President Joe Biden says NATO allies are committed to keeping alliance strong and will work together to “defend every inch of NATO territory”.
NATO member countries say they have begun transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help bolster its defence against Russia’s invasion.
Announcement comes as leaders of military alliance’s 32 member states meet in the United States to mark 75 years since its founding.
Military spending and policy towards China are also expected to be high on the agenda of three-day summit.
The event takes place as Biden faces domestic political trouble following a shaky debate performance and as European countries are grappling with a rise in far-right populism.
The US president has hailed a pledge by NATO members to develop plans to boost their domestic defence production. He said the move is needed to avoid falling behind Russia.
“This new pledge sends an unmistakable message to the world that every NATO member is committed to doing their part to keep the alliance strong,” Biden said in his brief opening remarks. “We can and will defend every inch of NATO territory, and we’ll do it together.”
Biden also began his address by saying Russia is “on a wartime footing with regard to defence production”.
“They are significantly ramping up their production of weapons, munitions and vehicles, and they’re doing it with the help of China, North Korea and Iran,” he said.
The NATO chief has laid out the priorities of the anniversary meeting, saying members will “make decisions for our future security” and “strengthen our defence”.
Jens Stoltenberg said that 23 allies now meet the target of spending two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, “up from just three allies in 2014”.
He said the bloc would “increase our support for Ukraine by establishing NATO coordination and the security assistance and training for Ukraine, and by ensuring sustained support for the long term”.
“Support to Ukraine is not charity,” he added.
He also said NATO members will “reinforce our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to push against the growing alignment of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea”.
US to station cruise missiles in Germany
It said “episodic deployments” of the long-range missiles will begin in 2026.
In addition to Tomahawks, the cruise missiles include SM-6 “and developmental hypersonic weapons”, which have longer range than missiles currently stationed in Europe.
“Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States’ commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence,” the statement said.
War gang’: Russia slams US over F-16 transfer to Ukraine
“This is evidence that Washington is leading a war gang,” Zakharova said, as reported by Russia’s official TASS news agency.
Zelenskyy thanks US, Denmark and Netherlands for F-16s
“I am grateful to the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands for taking practical steps to achieve the goal of all Ukrainians,” Volodomyr Zelenskyy said on X. “This is a clear signal that Russia’s ability to terrorize Ukrainian people, cities, and communities will continue to reduce.”
He added added that F-16s would be used to bolster Ukraine’s air defence and protect Ukrainians from attacks such as this week’s attack on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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