[ad_1]

The 30 NATO allies on Wednesday branded Russia as the biggest threat to their security and for the first time described the challenge posed by the rise of China.

It came as President Joe Biden said the U.S. was moving more troops and hardware into Europe, including for the first time installing a permanent presence on NATO’s eastern flank. 

Twelve years ago, NATO’s ‘strategic concept’ made no mention of China and described Russia as a ‘strategic partner.’

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, said times had changed. 

‘The international balance of power is shifting and strategic competition is on the rise,’ he said.

‘China does not share our values. And, like Russia, it seeks to undermine the national rules based order. So we must continue to stand together.’

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has given new purpose to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation after failures in Afghanistan and divisions when Donald Trump was in the White House.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, said: 'The international balance of power is shifting and strategic competition is on the rise'

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, said: ‘The international balance of power is shifting and strategic competition is on the rise’

Russian soldiers patrol a destroyed part of the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People's Republic, eastern Ukraine

Russian soldiers patrol a destroyed part of the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic, eastern Ukraine

The Chinese military's new DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles, that can reportedly reach the United States, are seen at a parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China

The Chinese military’s new DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles, that can reportedly reach the United States, are seen at a parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China

Stoltenberg said the alliance was meeting ‘in the midst of the most serious security crisis we have faced since the Second World War.’

Much of the focus was on Ukraine and Russia, but the new document spelled out concerns about China – and its growing warmth with Moscow. 

‘The deepening strategic partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests,’ it said.

See also  Wayne Couzens: Met Police cop pleads not guilty to indecent exposure before murdering Sarah Everard

If the new language was a jab at Beijing, leaders spent the day taking shots at Moscow.

Russia’s ‘war of aggression against Ukraine has shattered peace and gravely altered our security environment.’

Biden arrived at the NATO summit in Madrid on Wednesday morning and promised to send two F-35 squadrons to the U.K. and two destroyers to Spain as he strengthens U.S. forces in Europe against the threat from Vladimir Putin of Russia.

It includes for the first time a permanent military presence on NATO’s eastern flank – a move that is likely to anger Moscow. 

Biden made his announcement on the first day of a summit that began on a positive note, with Turkey dropping its objections to Finland and Sweden joining the alliance.

‘We’re sending an unmistakable message in my view, and I think yours as well,’ he told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, ‘that NATO is strong, united and the steps we’re taking during this summit will kind of further augment our collective strengths.

‘To that end, today I’m announcing the United States will enhance our force posture in Europe and respond to the changing security environment as well as strengthening our collective security.’

After already sending an extra 20,000 troops to Europe – bringing the total to 100,000 – he announced two more squadrons of F-35 warplanes would be sent to the U.K. and the number of destroyers based in Spain would increase from four to six.

Additional air defense systems will be sent to Germany and Italy, he said, 

And the U.S. will set up up a permanent military headquarters for its 5th Army Corps in Poland as well as sending another 5,000 troops to Romania.

The F-35 is the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced warplane, with air superiority and ground attack capabilities. 

Biden announced he was sending more U.S. forces to Europe as NATO allies gathered to promise full-throated support for Ukraine against Vladimir Putin's Russia

Biden announced he was sending more U.S. forces to Europe as NATO allies gathered to promise full-throated support for Ukraine against Vladimir Putin’s Russia

The surge will include two squadrons of F-35 warplanes being sent to the United Kingdom

The surge will include two squadrons of F-35 warplanes being sent to the United Kingdom

Biden also said he was increasing the number of US Navy destroyers stationed at US Naval Station, Spain, from four to six, as he steps up forces deployed in Europe

Biden also said he was increasing the number of US Navy destroyers stationed at US Naval Station, Spain, from four to six, as he steps up forces deployed in Europe

Biden waved as his motorcade made its way through Madrid to the summit site

Biden waved as his motorcade made its way through Madrid to the summit site

‘We’re going to make sure that NATO is ready to meet the threats from all directions across every domain – land, air and the sea,’ said Biden.

‘At a moment when Putin has shattered peace in Europe and attacked the very, very tenets of rule based order. The United States and are allies are going to step up.’

The most significant part of the decision may 

‘These forces – the first permanent U.S. forces on NATO’s Eastern Flank – will improve our command and control capabilities, interoperability with NATO, and management of prepositioned equipment,’ the Pentagon said.

Earlier British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Putin’s hopes of dividing NATO with his invasion of Ukraine had been dashed.

Putin was getting ‘more NATO’ not less, said Johnson as he arrived at the summit. 

American and European officials had been hoping for progress on expansion during the two-day summit in Madrid.

Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership in May, alarmed at Russia’s aggression in the region.

But Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he could not support their applications. Turkey has long accused the two countries of harboring members of the separatist militant Kurdistan’s Workers Party, which Turkey has designated as a terrorist group. 

On Tuesday, details of a breakthrough emerged. Turkey was happy with moves made by Finland and Sweden, said officials. 

Stoltenberg hailed the deal by saying: ‘We now have an agreement that paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO.’ 

White House officials said the U.S. was not directly involved in the negotiations.

However, Biden spoke with Erdogan on Tuesday as part of an effort to remove roadblocks from Sweden and Finland.

Biden spoke to Erdogan again on Wednesday as they both arrived at the summit and are due to hold a meeting later in the day. 

Meanwhile, leader after leader said they wanted to send a clear message to Moscow. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the summit’s host, said Russia would be named the alliance’s ‘main threat’ in its new strategic concept. The last such document, published in 2010, characterised Russia as a strategic partner.

‘We are sending a strong message to Putin: You will not win,’ he said. 

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, said NATO would supply arms to Ukraine for as long as necessary.

‘Russia has with its brutal war of aggression violated the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine,’ he said. 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to launch NATO applications

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to launch NATO applications

If the nations are accepted into the alliance they will bring with them almost 1million troops, including reserves, along with a huge amount of artillery, jets and submarines

If the nations are accepted into the alliance they will bring with them almost 1million troops, including reserves, along with a huge amount of artillery, jets and submarines

[ad_2]

Source link