NATO Secretary General pre-ministerial press conference, 15 JUN 2022

Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence on 15 and 16 June 2022, 15 June 2022.

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:
Good morning.
In two weeks’ time, we will meet in Madrid, all the NATO leaders, at a pivotal moment for our security.
Russia’s war against Ukraine is posing the biggest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades.
Russia is now engaged in a brutal war of attrition against the Ukrainian people.
Causing death and devastation on a large-scale.

And with far-reaching consequences and global implications.
As demonstrated by the food and energy crises, deliberately orchestrated by Russia.

In this more dangerous world, we need to make NATO stronger, and further support our partners.
And that is what we will do at this week’s meeting of Defence Ministers.

Tonight we will meet with Ukraine, Georgia, Sweden, Finland, and the European Union.
This will be an opportunity for Defence Minister Reznikov to update us on what Ukraine urgently needs.
And for NATO Allies to make new announcements of support to Ukraine.
Allies are committed to continue providing the military equipment that Ukraine needs to prevail, including heavy weapons and long range systems.

We will also discuss how to step up practical support for other partners at risk, including Bosnia Herzegovina, and Georgia.

Allies and partners have already provided Ukraine with billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment, as well as economic and humanitarian aid.

I expect that at the Summit, NATO Allies will agree a comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine.
Helping Ukraine for the longer-term,
to transition from Soviet-era equipment to modern NATO equipment,
and to improve interoperability with NATO.

Allies are unwavering in their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our close partners in Europe.
And for the right of each nation to choose its own path, free from outside interference.

The decisions by Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership are historic.
We are now working actively on the next steps in the accession process.
And as we do, we take into account the security concerns of all Allies.

Tomorrow, NATO Defence Ministers will address the need to significantly strengthen our deterrence and defence to respond to a new security reality.

We have already done a lot.
With speed and unity.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,
we have doubled the number of NATO battlegroups to eight,
and extended them from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
Placed over 40,000 troops under direct NATO command,
mainly on the eastern flank.
Backed by major air and naval power.
And increased our readiness and exercises.

We will now take decisions on the scale and design of our posture for the longer term.
To ensure that we can defend every inch of Allied territory.

From the first moment,
at all times,
and against any threat.

This will mean more presence, more capabilities, and higher readiness.



With more NATO forward deployed combat formations to strengthen our battlegroups in the East.
More air, sea and cyber defences, pre-positioned equipment and weapon stockpiles.
And a new force model, with more forces at higher readiness, and specific forces pre-assigned to the defence of specific Allies.

I welcome Germany’s intention to strengthen its engagement in Lithuania, where it leads our NATO battlegroup.
And develop it towards a more robust combat brigade.
Other Allies are also considering what more they can do.

Our decisions will make NATO stronger.
And ensure that we can deter any attack across all domains.

Stronger defences in a more dangerous world require more investment.
And more investment together.

Since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, in 2014, we have seen seven consecutive years of rising defence investments across European Allies and Canada.
Allies are also investing more in modern capabilities, and contributing to NATO deployments and exercises.

This is the right trend.
And it needs to continue for the longer term.
To rise to the challenges of today and tomorrow.



Let me add in closing that the US-led Ukraine Support Contact Group is also meeting today at NATO to discuss
Ukraine’s urgent needs for military equipment.
And I thank the United States for its leadership and coordination.

With that, I am ready to take your questions.

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