NATO declares Russia a threat at The Hague summit, pledges continued support for Ukraine
NATO declares Russia a threat at The Hague summit, pledges continued support for Ukraine (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Following the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, Alliance member states agreed not to halt but to increase support for Ukraine. The final declaration contains no condemnation of Russia's actions, but does define Russia as a threat to European security.
Indeed, the declaration states that Alliance members confirm the continuation of military support for Ukraine. This support will also be provided in the form of investments in the Ukrainian defense industry.
"Allies reaffirm their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, and, to this end, will include direct contributions towards Ukraine's defence and its defense industry when calculating Allies' defense spending," the document states.
For the first time since 2022, the final NATO declaration does not condemn Russia's war against Ukraine. Furthermore, the document makes no mention of Ukraine's irreversible path to NATO.
On the other hand, Russia is named a "long-term threat" to Euro-Atlantic security. In the text of the declaration, NATO participants list the Kremlin among the threats alongside terrorism.
NATO summit in The Hague
The 76th annual NATO summit began on June 24 in The Hague, Netherlands. Its plenary session took place on June 25. Alliance members agreed to raise defense spending up to a ceiling of 5% of GDP.
Support for Ukraine was also discussed, and some decisions have already been made. Norway will purchase drones for Ukraine worth 640 million euros.
