The Alliance's strategy towards Russia, the defence of NATO states and the support for Ukraine are the most crucial issues raised at the NATO summit held in Washington in mid-July. The details of the meeting, as well as the decisions taken at that time, were discussed during the session of the National Defence Commission.
NATO summit is simply a gathering of representatives of the Alliance associate states. Recent meetings with them took place between 9 and 11 July in Washington, D.C.. The subjects that were discussed at the time, as well as the decisions that were made, were discussed during the Tuesday session of the National Defence Commission. A study on the proceedings in Washington was presented by deputy ministers of national defence and abroad affairs: Paweł Zalewski and Władysław Bartoszewski.
Russian aggression and defence of the east flank
The Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Defence reported that 1 of the most crucial issues the allies discussed in the United States was Russia's aggressive actions, not only in Ukraine, but besides in the North Atlantic Alliance associate States. "It was confirmed that Russia remains the biggest and direct threat to NATO," said Paweł Zalewski. As the Deputy Minister said, the summit participants in the adopted declaration agreed that the hybrid actions and sabotage actions of Russia in any countries are a threat to the full Alliance and require the consequence of all allies. This includes combating cyber attacks on critical infrastructure facilities and instrumentalisation of migration. The summit's final paper besides contains information about the situation on the east NATO border and the provocations there. – Everything that has been happening there for respective years has been recognized by all states as threat to NATO as a whole – he said. "This declaration besides takes into account the function of Belarus in supporting Russia in aggression in Ukraine, and that is besides an crucial element, due to the fact that Belarus was forgotten and its function is crucial in this issue," said Zalewski. The Deputy Minister assured that the Ministry of Defence was taking a number of steps to increase safety on the east NATO border. This includes construction Eastern Shields and to search the support of allies not only from the North Atlantic Pact, but besides from the European Union to strengthen resilience in these areas.
Another issue raised by the Deputy Minister of Defence during the Parliamentary gathering of the Committee on Defence was the deterrence and defence of NATO. "The leaders confirmed their commitment to supply the appropriate forces of advanced readiness, military capabilities and infrastructure essential to implement the Alliance's fresh defence plans," he said. "It should be noted that these plans have been the most comprehensive since the Cold War," he stressed. Zalewski pointed out that the allies decided that military exercises of allied states would take place more often.
The Deputy Minister of Defence reported that during a gathering in Washington, the allies discussed strengthening NATO's command structures. Zalewski pointed out that Poland will play an crucial function in this respect, which, together with Germany and Sweden, is expected to lead maritime operations in the Baltic Sea. During the summit it was announced that missile defence base in Redzikow reached operational readiness and was incorporated into the allied rocket defence system. "It has a very large military dimension, strategical importance and is crucial for our ability to deter and defend," he stressed.
How much money for defense?
W D.C. was besides discussing finance, including the fulfilment of the Natatian request for each associate State to allocate at least 2% of GDP to defence. – The next 3 allies declared that they would scope this level in 2025. So next year it's 23. Member States will comply with this requirement – reminded the Deputy Minister.
Ukraine was besides given much attention during the summit. The participants of the gathering decided that shortly NATO, and not so far the United States, will take on the function of coordinator in providing support to Ukraine. The allies decided to support Ukraine at a level of no little than EUR 40 billion per year. "For Poland, this means a burden of around EUR 630 million per year," said the government representative.
W Washington's assumptions on the origin were clarified Joint Centre for Analysis, Training and Education of NATO – Ukraine. The Centre will be subordinate to the Allied Transformation Center in Norfolk and will be incorporated into NATO's command structures.Importantly, its office will be located in Bydgoszcz. “This is simply a large success of Poland,” said Paweł Zalewski.
Not just NATO members
On the another hand, Władysław Bartoszewski, Deputy Minister of abroad Affairs, stressed that not only representatives of the Alliance associate states came to Washington, but besides Australia, Japan, fresh Zealand and South Korea. They recognise that the safety situation in the Euro-Atlantic region affects the safety of Asia and the Pacific. Bartoszewski reported that the summit identified the most crucial areas of cooperation with the Alliance's partners. This is about actions for cybersecurity, combating misinformation, cooperation in the field of fresh technologies and supporting Ukraine.
Bartoszewski assured that although Ukraine had not now received an invitation to join the North Atlantic Pact, the allies "confirmed the irreversibility of its way to NATO". He assured that Poland would support this process. "This will lead to safety and stableness in Europe," he said. He informed that during the gathering it was decided that the advanced typical of NATO would be stationed in Kiev, "which would increase the visibility of the Alliance for Ukraine".
The deputy head of diplomacy told Members that the allies had pointed out Poland's commitment to strengthening the safety of the east NATO flank. He reminded that Poland will allocate 4.2% of GDP to defence this year, and in the future – more than 5%, which is importantly different from the amounts donated by allies.
– This year's NATO summit should be seen as an crucial step in the strategical adaptation of the Alliance in the face of a rapidly changing safety situation in Europe," said Deputy Minister Władysław Bartoszewski. “The Defence Ministry will search further strengthening of deterrence and defence, especially on the east flank, the implementation of allied defence plans and the strengthening of the chain of command”, added Deputy Minister Paweł Zalewski.
Another NATO summit will be held next year in The Hague.
