NATO Chief, Blinken Outline Future Goals For NATO, Mideast And Ukraine
By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL-On January 29, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a joint press conference, addressed the drone attack on U.S. soldiers in Jordan by Iran-backed militia. Blinken said that the U.S. “will respond decisively to any aggression” but refrained from detailing specifics as did President Biden when he spoke to the press on Tuesday. Stoltenberg said that Iran has been behind all these attacks and that its goal is to destabilize the region. Blinken warned those who would use this as a reason to expand the conflict in the Middle East, not to do it. Blinken added that the U.S. will respond “at a time and place of our choosing” and reiterated that the current focus remains on ensuring peace and security in the Middle East region as well as bringing the Gaza conflict to a resolution. He outlined his meeting with the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar to obtain a framework for a proposal that both Israel and Hamas can agree on that would free the remaining hostages and ultimately bring a permanent ceasefire. The broader goal, Blinken explained is: “an integrated Israel with relations with all of its neighbors, security commitments, assurances that it needs to make sure that it can move forward in peace and security; a Palestinian Authority that’s reformed, and a clear pathway to a Palestinian state. “
To this end, Blinken emphasized the crucial importance of the U.S. relationship with NATO and said that one of the main messages of next summer’s NATO Summit will be “we need to stand together in a more dangerous world. He added: “NATO is more needed than ever because we live in a more unpredictable and dangerous world.” Blinken highlighted that the path to “durable security” is through a region that’s “more integrated” and that relations between countries must be “normalized” and that Palestinians, ultimately get their rights. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Washington D.C. for meetings with Blinken where they discussed the NATO Summit and reviewed matters related to the Alliance. Blinken pointed out that NATO is “advancing with a sense of urgency” and a “strong sense not only of unity of purpose but unity of action.” He briefly touched on Turkiye’s approval of Sweden’s NATO bid and how that’s a tremendously positive move that will greatly benefit the Alliance while saying he’s confident that Hungary will approve Sweden’s accession once Hungary’s parliament returns from its recess.
Blinken noted that he and the Stoltenberg discussed “unwavering support for Ukraine” and that NATO signed a $1.2 billion contract to produce 220,000 artillery shells which will assist Allies to restock their own arsenals, it also he said, “complements efforts by the United States, by the European Union, by Ukraine, to ramp up defense production.” He added that this will provide NATO and its Allies with much more resiliency and preparation for future threats. Stoltenberg expressed his gratitude to Blinken “to prevent further escalation of the war in Gaza,” lauding his efforts toward a “peaceful resolution.” Stoltenberg warned that any victory over Ukraine by Russia would “embolden Iran, North Korea and China.” He stressed that European and American security are interdependent and that “supporting Ukraine serves U.S. interests.” The NATO secretary general said that he welcomes the “clear commitment” from President Biden and Blinken to “sustain U.S. support to Ukraine and to work with Congress to achieve that.” Stoltenberg said that “what European NATO Allies and Canada provide in terms of military, financial, and humanitarian aid” aid to Ukraine, “actually exceeds what the U.S. is providing.”
Stoltenberg lauded the “joint effort” by all NATO Allies “from both sides of the Atlantic” -reiterating his confidence that all NATO Allies will “continue to deliver, because supporting Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in our own security.” He mentioned the goal of the next NATO Summit is “adapting our Alliance for the future,” and that in July, NATO will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a summit in Washington D.C. The NATO chief remarked that “NATO is getting stronger and bigger,” and that with Finland already a member and Sweden on the way that this sends a message to Russia’s Putin that NATO is not weak but is “stronger and more united” than ever. Stoltenberg also said “further steps” will be taken to boost NATO’s strength such as investing more in defense and working with partners worldwide. As the NATO chief concluded: “Through NATO, the U.S. has more friends and allies than any other power. Together we make up 50 percent of the world’s economic and military might. China and Russia have nothing like NATO. It is why they always try to undermine our unity. In times of growing competition and rivalry, NATO makes the U.S. stronger and safer, and all of us more secure.”
Photo : AA
