The 31 leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are set to convene for a two-day summit in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius this week. The military alliance members will seek to reaffirm their support for war-torn Ukraine on Tuesday and Wednesday, overcome differences over Sweden’s perspective NATO membership, and display a united stance against Russia’s aggression.
For some it will be a return to the fight, for others it will be their first time. They replace those who have been injured or killed. Firing at targets in a clearing with AK-47 rifles, they are careful to conserve ammunition.
“This week, at the NATO summit, we will strengthen our deterrence and defence, including with more investment. We will step up our support for Ukraine, and move Ukraine closer to NATO,” the military alliance’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Vilnius.
“Lithuania seeks this summit to be remembered as the summit of decisions – not just declarations,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said in a tweet on the eve of the summit.
Nato is looking for unity over the war
Also supplies from allies have been essential for Ukraine in this war. For Roman and other soldiers, the Nato summit in Vilnius is a crucial moment. It is to ensure they have what they need to continue the fight.
The widespread expectation is that new weapons will be promised at the summit. As well as more supplies of ammunition. From existing stockpiles last week was partly to act as a stop-gap before new artillery supplies are ready.
“The 2008 Nato summit in Bucharest casts a long shadow. Ukraine, along with Georgia, was told membership was on the cards in the future. But with no clear path and no expectation that it would be anytime soon.
That angered Russia but without offering any protection in return. Georgia was attacked in 2008 by Russia, and Ukraine attacked too – first in 2014 and then in 2022. Many of those US officials involved in the decision in Bucharest now acknowledge it was a mistake.
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