2024 Washington summit
| NATO Summit Washington 2024 2024 Washington Summit | |
|---|---|
| Host country | United States |
| Date | 9–11 July 2024 |
| Venue(s) | Walter E. Washington Convention Center[1] |
| Cities | Washington, DC |
| Follows | 2023 Vilnius summit |
| Precedes | 2025 The Hague summit |
| Website | www |
The 2024 Washington summit is an upcoming meeting of the heads of state and heads of government of the thirty-two members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries, and the European Union, which will be held in Washington, DC, United States, on 9–11 July 2024.[2] The summit will commemorate the landmark 75th anniversary of NATO, which was founded on 4 April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC. The summit is the fourth NATO summit to be held in the United States following the 1978 Washington summit, 1999 Washington summit and 2012 Chicago summit and marks the first summit since Sweden acceded to NATO.
Background
Preamble
The official title of the 2024 Washington summit is «Ukraine and transatlantic security»,[3] thus highlighting the focus on the Alliance's response to escalating global threats to peace and democracies, with particular attention to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, including North Korea's exports of military equipment to Russia used in the war against Ukraine.[4] The summit will also focus on boosting defense production and reaffirming Allies' commitment to military readiness and the defense of all of NATO's territory.[5][6]
Pre-Summit Developments
Ukraine Mobilization Law of 2024
Despite the controversial[7] Ukraine Mobilization Law of 2024, which lowered the mobilization age from 27 to 25, Ukraine still faces a severe manpower shortage.[8][9] With a population of 144 million people[10], Russia significantly outnumbers Ukraine's 38 million[11] as of 2022. This demographic advantage gives Russia greater manpower resources. However, despite the superiority, Russian losses are generally considered higher than Ukraine's. Both have lost significant amounts of personnel, though no precise numbers can be given until the invasion ends and all cases are investigated.[12][13]
International Support for Ukraine
On May 14th, Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived to Kyiv announced to reaffirm unwavering U.S. support amid mounting Russian aggression. Blinken's visit, less than a month after Congress approved a $60 billion aid package,[14] highlights the swift U.S. response to Ukraine's defense needs. With expedited delivery of military assistance, including artillery and air defense systems, the trip underscores the Biden administration's commitment to Ukraine's long-term security amidst escalating conflict.[15]
Blinken stated:
We are with you today. And we will stay by your side until Ukraine's security, sovereignty, its ability to choose its own path is guaranteed.[16]
On the morning of May 24, 2024 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on the state radio that Hungary wants to redefine its NATO membership due to the his position on the Russian war in Ukraine and aiding Ukraine.[17]
The PM announced:
Our lawyers and officers are working [to define] how Hungary can exist as a NATO member without taking part in NATO operations outside NATO territory.[18]
Orban has been the only leader of an EU and NATO country who, despite the united efforts of the union to aid Ukraine economically, militarily, and politically,[19][20] has maintained close ties[21] with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Previously, in January 2024, EU threatened to impose voting sanctions on Hungary[22] if it blocks 50 billion euros (€50 billion, approximately 54 billion US dollars) in aid to Ukraine once again. Also, it would seek to permanently shut off all EU funding to Budapest.[23] This resulted in Hungary dropping its veto, and successful EU agreement on $54 billion to Ukraine.[24][25]
Concerns Over Russian Aggression
Later on the same day, May 24, 2024, the State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Eastern Europe amidst escalating concerns over Russia's advances in Ukraine,[26] as it opens new northern front with an attack on the Kharkiv region,[27] potential Russian interference in Moldova,[28] and pro-Moscow legislation in Georgia.[29][30] Blinken will visit the Moldovan capital of Chişinau on May 29, Wednesday to discuss Moldova's question. The next two days he will spend in Prague at the NATO's last major diplomatic gathering before leaders meet in Washington in July. There, Blinken will meet Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, and other officials to deliberate on support for Ukraine, and Georgia's «Russian law», which sparked major protests around the country with a chant: «Yes to Europe, No to Russian Law».[31][32]
Policy Changes Regarding Weapon Use
On May 3rd, during a visit to Kyiv, UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said that it is up to Ukraine how to use British weapons and that Ukraine has the right to strike with them inside Russia. This was a major policy change by a nuclear state and NATO member, the United Kingdom.[33] Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov and the spokeswoman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova condemned the decision.[34]
On May 29th, representatives of Finland, Canada, and Poland issued separate statements saying that Ukraine can strike valid military targets inside Russia with their weapons.[35]
On May 30th, US President Joe Biden quietly gave Ukraine permission to strike inside Russia, but only near the Kharkiv Oblast, with no exact borderlines defined.[36] This decision comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials urged their allies to allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia with Western-supplied weapons in response to the daily bombings of Ukrainian cities by Russian forces from military bases located inside Russia.[37] Before the US considered allowing the use of its weapons by Ukraine inside Russia, several countries endorsed lifting the ban on Western weapons. These endorsements came from the Presidents of France, Latvia, and Estonia; the German Chancellor; the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Denmark, and the Czech Republic; the Foreign Ministers of Canada, the UK, Poland, Lithuania, and Norway; and the Defence Ministers of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland. Conversely, two Alliance members, Belgium and Italy opposed the lift of the restrictions.[38]
Shortly after the US lifted the restriction, the German government let Ukraine use its weapons inside Russia.[39] This comes with a "just over the border" striking policy limited to Kharkiv oblast, where Russia launched a surprising, new offensive in Kharkiv oblast[40], making tactical gains.[41]
Ukraine's question
Public stance on NATO
Post-Soviet era
After Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004, which ousted a pro-Russian government, the country saw the election of a pro-NATO Viktor Yushchenko as the new president of Ukraine.[42] Although it still did not reflect on public opinion with a significant vote of 60% against joining NATO.[43][44]
2014 Crimea annexation
Ever since Russia annexed Crimea and 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, Ukraine's interest in joining the Alliance has been growing gradually. After the 2022 invasion, Ukraine's public stance on NATO membership witnessed a significant shift in public opinion from a relatively low 59.2% in favour and 28.1% against[45] in 2021 to a resounding 89% in favour by May 2023. Subsequently, the rate stabilized at 77% in favor and 5% against by 2024.[46]
NATO's stance on Ukraine
At an Atlantic Council event, US permanent representative to NATO Julianne Smith indicated that NATO was not ready to extend a formal invitation to Ukraine for membership during the previous summer at the 2023 Vilnius summit and is unlikely to do so at the upcoming 2024 NATO Summit in Washington. Instead, she expects NATO allies to provide Ukraine with a "deliverable" that would bring the country closer to membership, focusing on institutionalizing the bilateral support that has grown over the past two years. While details on this deliverable remain unclear, Smith emphasized NATO's ongoing commitment to Ukraine through measures like the NATO-Ukraine Council, established at the 2023 NATO Summit.[47]
NATO officially highlights support for Ukraine is unwavering,[48] with the alliance determined to stand by Ukraine indefinitely. This stance is meant to send a strong message to Russia that NATO allies remain united and committed. She highlighted that NATO is actively engaging with Ukraine and has no intentions of abandoning its support, demonstrating solidarity and patience in the face of ongoing conflict.[49]
Although some Alliance members, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have pushed for Kyiv's accession to the alliance, they acknowledge that it is not possible before the war ends due to fears of being directly involved in the war.[50][51][52]
Summit
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Participants
| Non-NATO member |
| Country or organization |
Head of Delegation | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
 NATO
|
Jens Stoltenberg | Secretary General | |
 Albania
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 Belgium
|
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 Bulgaria
|
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 Canada
|
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 Croatia
|
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 Czech Republic
|
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 Denmark
|
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 Estonia
|
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 Finland
|
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 France
|
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 Weimar Republic
|
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 Greece
|
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 Hungary
|
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 Iceland
|
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 Italy
|
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 Latvia
|
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 Lithuania
|
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 Luxembourg
|
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 Montenegro
|
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 Netherlands
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 North Macedonia
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 Norway
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 Poland
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 Portugal
|
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 Romania
|
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 Slovakia
|
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 Slovenia
|
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 Spain
|
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 Sweden
|
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 Turkey
|
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 United Kingdom
|
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 United States
|
Joe Biden (host) | President |
See also
References
- ^ "NATO Summit". www.nato.int. NATO.
- ^ "NATO summits". nato.int. NATO.
- ^ "The Washingtop NATO Summit: Ukraine and transatlantic security". www.atlanticcouncil.org. Atlantic Council.
- ^ Baker, Peter (13 October 2023). "North Korea Shipped Arms to Russia for Use in Ukraine, U.S. Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Readout of National Security Advisor Sullivan's Meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg". whitehouse.gov. The White House. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Jeglinskas, Giedrimas; Sergejeva, Zelma (6 November 2023). "How to keep NATO relevant into 2024 and beyond". atlanticcouncil.org. Atlantic Council. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Ukraine's mobilization law now in force, sparking fears more essential workers will be drafted". CBC News. 18 May 2024.
- ^ Verbianyi, Volodymyr (31 May 2024). "Ukraine Is Running Short of People". Bloomberg.
- ^ Sherman, Ella (7 May 2024). "Ukraine's manpower problem is likely going to 'get worse before it gets better,' war expert says". Business Insider.
- ^ "Population, total - Russian Federation". data.worldbank.org. The World Bank.
- ^ "Population, total - Ukraine". data.worldbank.org. The World Bank.
- ^ Mittal, Vikram (5 March 2023). "Military Casualties In Russia-Ukraine War Are Likely Less Than Commonly Stated". Forbes.
- ^ Isabel van Brugen (30 May 2024). "Russia Rapidly Approaching Grim Losses Milestone: Kyiv". Newsweek.
- ^ Rimmer, Morgan; Barrett, Ted (30 April 2024). "Senate passes $95 billion package sending aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delay". CNN.
- ^ The Associated Press (14 May 2024). "Antony Blinken visits Ukraine to tout U.S. support for Kyiv's fight against Russia's advances". NBC News.
- ^ Lewis, Simon (14 May 2024). "Blinken, in Kyiv, vows unwavering US support as Russian attacks intensify". Reuters.
- ^ Spike, Justin (24 May 2024). "Hungary will seek to opt out of NATO efforts to support Ukraine, Orbán says". AP News.
- ^ Dunai, Marton; Foy, Henry (24 May 2024). "Hungary seeks to 'redefine' its Nato membership over Ukraine". Financial Times.
- ^ "EU Solidarity with Ukraine". eu-solidarity-ukraine.ec.europa.eu. European Union. 26 February 2022.
- ^ "NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine". www.nato.int. NATO.
- ^ "Hungary to seek to opt out of NATO efforts to support Ukraine, Orban says". Voice of America. Associated Press. 24 May 2024.
- ^ "EU threatens to silence Hungary, if it blocks Ukrainian funds". Politico.
- ^ Foy, Henry; Bounds, Andy; Dunai, Marton (28 January 2024). "Brussels threatens to hit Hungary's economy if Viktor Orbán vetoes Ukraine aid". Financial Times.
- ^ "European Union agrees on new $54bn aid package for Ukraine". Aljazeera. 1 February 2024.
- ^ "EU Leaders agree on €50 billion of reliable financial support for Ukraine until 2027". neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu. European Union.
- ^ Meheut, Constant (23 May 2024). "Advancing Russian Troops Threaten to Reverse Some of Ukraine's Hard-Won Gains". The New York Times.
- ^ McArthur, Tom (21 May 2024). "Thousands flee Russian offensive in Kharkiv region". BBC News.
- ^ Donald Jensen, PhD; James Rupert (1 May 2024). "In Russia's Hybrid War on Europe, Moldova's Critical Next 15 Months". www.usip.org. United States Institute of Peace.
- ^ Nechepurenko, Ivan (18 May 2024). "Georgia's President Vetoes Foreign Influence Law". The New York Times.
- ^ Demytrie, Rayhan (28 May 2024). "Georgia parliament overturns veto on foreign agents law". BBC News.
- ^ "Live Blog: 'Yes to Europe, No to Russian Law' – Rallies Against Foreign Agents Bill". Civil Georgia.
- ^ Lee, Matthew (24 May 2024). "Blinken will head to eastern Europe as concerns mount about Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia". ABC News.
- ^ Kirby, Paul (3 May 2024). "Kyiv can use British weapons inside Russia - Cameron". BBC News.
- ^ "Kremlin calls Cameron statement on UK arms for Ukraine a 'direct escalation'". Reuters. 3 May 2024.
- ^ Denisova, Kateryna (29 May 2024). "Finland, Canada, Poland don't prohibit Ukraine from striking targets in Russia with their weapons". The Kyiv Independent.
- ^ Banco, Erin; Ward, Alexander; Seligman, Lara (30 May 2024). "Biden secretly gave Ukraine permission to strike inside Russia with US weapons". Politico.
- ^ Denisova, Kateryna (29 May 2024). "Ukraine urges allies to lift Western arms ban on hitting targets inside Russia. Will they?". The Kyiv Independent.
- ^ Hrudka, Orysia (31 May 2024). "Most allies now support Ukraine striking targets in Russia; Italy and Belgium oppose, US undecided". Euromaidan Press.
- ^ Novikov, Illia; Lee, Matthew; Janicek, Karel (31 May 2024). "Germany says Ukraine can use its weapons against targets in Russia after the U.S. also eases its stance". PBS News Hour.
- ^ "Russian forces firm control of offensive line near Kharkiv, Russia-installed officials say". Reuters. 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine updates: Russia making 'tactical' gains in Kharkiv". Deutsche Welle. 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Medvedev warns on Nato expansion". BBC News. 25 March 2008.
- ^ Interfax-Ukraine (10 January 2013). "Poll: Almost half of Ukrainians back Ukraine's accession to EU". Kyiv Post.
- ^ "Almost half of Ukrainians want to join the EU, slightly less want to join the Customs Union". Ukrainska Pravda. 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Attitude to the access of Ukraine to the EU and NATO, attitude to direct negotiations with v. putin, and perception of the military threat from Russia: results of the telephone survey conducted december 13-16, 2021". KIV INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE SOCIOLOGY.
- ^ "All UKRAINIAN Survey" (PDF). ratinggroup.ua. Center for insights in survey research.
- ^ "TExpect a new 'bridge' to NATO membership for Ukraine at the Washington summit, says Julianne Smith". www.atlanticcouncil.org. Atlantic Council. 29 April 2024.
- ^ Ching, Nike (29 November 2024). "Blinken: 'No Fatigue' in NATO Support of Ukraine". Voice of America.
- ^ "NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine". www.nato.int. NATO. 21 March 2024.
- ^ Besch, Sophia; Ciaramella, Eric (24 October 2024). "Ukraine's Accession Poses a Unique Conundrum for the EU". carnegieendowment.org. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- ^ Glenn, Mike. "U.S. NATO envoy doesn't expect Ukraine to be offered membership at July D.C. summit". The Washington Times. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Kostina, Ivanna; Pohorilov, Stanislav (5 April 2024). "Ukraine won't be invited to NATO at Washington summit in order not to bring NATO into war – NYT". Ukrainska Pravda.