Ukraine War: NATO, EU,G7 leaders discuss Ukraine at Brussels summits

Ukraine is the main focus at separate summits being held by NATO, EU, and the Group of Seven nations in Brussels. Leaders from 30 NATO member countries gathered at the organization’s headquarters.

As Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine enters its second month, NATO leaders have agreed to a major boost to forces along the alliance’s eastern flank to deter Russia over the long term. More military support for Ukraine was also agreed including help to deal with a chemical weapons attack.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “Today, NATO leaders agreed that we must and will provide further support to Ukraine. We will continue to impose unprecedented costs on Russia, and will reinforce allied deterrence and defence.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a pre-recorded video address to the summit.

He said NATO did not give a clear answer to his request for more protection against Russian bombs and missiles. He also asked NATO member countries to provide Ukraine with “one percent” of their aircraft and tanks.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy demanded NATO give Kyiv “one percent” of its weapons, including fighters jets, tanks, and air defense equipment.

Zelenskyy also called for global protests as he marked one month since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.

NATO issued a statement Thursday after its summit at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels.

The statement said NATO member countries will continue to provide Ukraine with assistance for “protection against threats of a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear nature.”

The leaders also confirmed that NATO will set up four additional multinational combat units in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. These four nations are situated on NATO’s eastern flank.

The statement said members “will also significantly strengthen our longer-term deterrence and defence posture.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed at a news conference that member countries will continue to stay united to deal with threats from Russia. He said, “Europe and North America are standing and will continue to stand strong together in NATO.”

Also, Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is in Brussels for the G7 summit. Kishida is set to announce more aid for Ukraine from his country during the summit.

The Japanese government has already promised 100 million dollars in aid for Ukraine and its neighbors. It is now preparing to offer 100 million dollars more.

The US and UK targeted new Russian individuals and entities with sanctions.

After the failure of their initial invasion to make significant headway, Vladimir Putin’s forces have resorted to bombarding towns and cities from distance, causing massive death and destruction.

Amid Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II, millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes to safer parts of the country, or abroad.

“NATO has never, never been more united than it is today,” said Joe Biden. “Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended.”

The US president also said he wanted Russia out of the G20, and that a Russian chemical weapons attack in Ukraine would “trigger a response in kind”.