An unprecedented security system, an army on the alert, closed highways, and telework recommended to residents: Madrid (Spain) is placed under very high surveillance. More than 40 Heads of State and Government are meeting there to discuss the future of the Alliance.
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This summit is dominated by the conflict in Ukraine and the Russian threat. Faced with this threat, NATO is getting stronger and is preparing to welcome two new members. Here are the main things to know about this summit.
Accession of Sweden and Finland: a strong signal sent to Russia
This is a huge step for the two Nordic countries which are emerging from their historic neutrality: Sweden and Finland will join NATO. A major change in the security architecture in Europe. Sweden and Finland were already cooperating with the Atlantic Alliance, but their full membership, which still needs to be ratified by national parliaments, sends a very strong signal to Russia.
At the end of May, Turkey surprised by vetoing these memberships, President Erdogan accusing Sweden and Finland of protecting Kurdish terrorists. An agreement has therefore been reached, with the blessing of the United States, which has been active behind the scenes. “I am delighted to announce that we have an agreement which paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO” and who answers “to Turkey’s concerns about arms exports and the fight against terrorism”NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters.
This announced enlargement of NATO is a turning point. It also corresponds to a return to basics: as in 1949 when it was created, the great affair of the Atlantic alliance is indeed Russia. Russia is a “direct threat” for the “security” NATO countries, said Jens Stoltenberg.
Support for Ukraine: a reinforced commitment
In 2010, the Alliance wanted a strategic partnership with Moscow. But that is a time gone by: today, it is arming Ukraine against Russia and is going to make new commitments in this area. These commitments will be discussed on Wednesday morning with Volodymyr Zelensky by videoconference.
NATO countries, which have already provided billions of dollars in aid to Kyiv, will suit Madrid “a comprehensive assistance program to Ukraine to help it enforce its right to self-defence”promised Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance.
NATO is therefore strengthening its presence in the East. It looks like the “biggest overhaul of our collective defense since the Cold War.” NATO’s rapid reaction force will notably increase from 40,000 to 300,000 soldiers. The United States promises new military commitments, particularly in the Baltic. And the allies are asked to follow, including by keeping their promise to devote 2% of their GDP to military spending. It is no longer a ceiling but a floor, warns the Atlantic alliance.
Relations with China: a “strategic concept” to be redefined
China remains on the agenda of the Madrid summit. It is even a priority for the United States, which has not forgotten that confrontation. China is not considered, not yet, as a “threat” but Chinese influence is indeed a “challenge” for the Atlantic Alliance. Last February, Beijing said it understood Russia’s concerns and even shared its wish to see Ukraine stay outside NATO, but at no time had China mentioned, let alone supported, a possible military intervention.
Is this challenge systemic, or is it a security challenge? The NATO summit is also a matter of formulation. Its new “strategic concept”which is the subject of intense negotiations, will be made public on Thursday noon.