NATO officially approves comprehensive defense plan

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (center, front row) poses for a photo with heads of state of NATO member states at the alliance's summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

During the first working session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, the leaders of this military alliance unanimously decided to bring Ukraine closer to NATO, while strengthening the alliance's collective defense and deterrence capabilities.

According to a VNA correspondent in Europe, NATO leaders agreed on a three-part package of measures to help Ukraine join NATO, including a new multi-year support program to facilitate the transition of the Ukrainian armed forces to NATO standards, help rebuild Ukraine's security and defense sector, and meet critical needs such as fuel, mine clearance equipment, and medical supplies.

NATO leaders also agreed to establish a new NATO-Ukraine Council on July 12.

Speaking to reporters, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that this is a strong package of measures for Ukraine and a clear path towards Kiev's membership in NATO.

Mr. Stoltenberg also said the allies had adopted the most comprehensive defense plans since the end of the Cold War to deter and protect, in all domains from space, cyber, land, sea and air.

Accordingly, a new force of 300,000 soldiers is always in a state of high readiness, and can be deployed in the air and navy.

In addition, NATO also approved a new Defense Production Action Plan to accelerate joint procurement, enhance production capacity and enhance interoperability among NATO members.

According to plan, on July 12, NATO leaders will meet with leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as the European Union (EU).

According to VNA

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