NATO will approve new regional defense and deterrence plans at a summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on 11-12 July. This was expressed by Julianne Smith, the US Permanent Representative at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. TASS.
“We will implement new regional plans, especially with regard to deterrence and defence. Commenting on the schedule of the upcoming summit, this is of great importance as we will have plans to protect every inch of NATO territory.
The diplomat noted that other topics such as cyberspace are also planned to be discussed. He also said the alliance would “have a new command and control structure along with the original plans.”
In addition, the US Ambassador confirmed that the summit will talk about increasing collective defense spending. According to him, in 2014, the member states of the bloc decided to make the indicator of 2% of GDP a minimum for all, and it should be achieved by 2024. Currently, only 7-8 members of the bloc allocate such an amount for military expenditures. He estimates that NATO military spending should increase in 2025-26.
Former President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky declarationIt expects to receive security guarantees for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius.