2024 Washington summit
| NATO Summit Washington 2024 2024 Washington Summit | |
|---|---|
| Host country | United States |
| Date | 9–11 July 2024 |
| Venue(s) | Walter E. Washington Convention Center[1] |
| Cities | Washington, DC |
| Follows | 2023 Vilnius summit |
| Precedes | 2025 The Hague summit |
| Website | www |
The 2024 Washington summit is an upcoming meeting of the heads of state and heads of government of the thirty-two members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries, and the European Union, which will be held in Washington, DC, United States, on 9–11 July 2024.[2] The summit will commemorate the landmark 75th anniversary of NATO, which was founded on 4 April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC. The summit is the fourth NATO summit to be held in the United States following the 1978 Washington summit, 1999 Washington summit and 2012 Chicago summit and marks the first summit since Sweden acceded to NATO.
Background[edit]
Preamble[edit]
The official title of the 2024 Washington summit is «Ukraine and transatlantic security»,[3] thus highlighting the focus on the Alliance's response to escalating global threats to peace and democracies, with particular attention to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, including North Korea's exports of military equipment to Russia used in the war against Ukraine.[4] The summit will also focus on boosting defense production and reaffirming Allies' commitment to military readiness and the defense of all of NATO's territory.[5][6]
Pre-Summit Developments[edit]
On May 14th, Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived to Kyiv announced to reaffirm unwavering U.S. support amid mounting Russian aggression. Blinken's visit, less than a month after Congress approved a $60 billion aid package[7], highlights the swift U.S. response to Ukraine's defense needs. With expedited delivery of military assistance, including artillery and air defense systems, the trip underscores the Biden administration's commitment to Ukraine's long-term security amidst escalating conflict.[8]
Blinken stated:
We are with you today. And we will stay by your side until Ukraine's security, sovereignty, its ability to choose its own path is guaranteed.[9]
On the morning of May 24, 2024 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on the state radio that Hungary wants to redefine its NATO membership due to the his position on the Russian war in Ukraine and aiding Ukraine.[10]
The PM announced:
Our lawyers and officers are working [to define] how Hungary can exist as a NATO member without taking part in NATO operations outside NATO territory.[11]
Orban has been the only leader of an EU and NATO country who, despite the united efforts of the union to aid Ukraine economically, militarily, and politically[12][13], has maintained close ties[14] with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Previously, in January 2024, EU threatened to impose voting sanctions on Hungary[15] if it blocks 50 billion euros (€50 billion, approximately 54 billion US dollars) in aid to Ukraine once again. Also, it would seek to permanently shut off all EU funding to Budapest[16]. This resulted in Hungary dropping its veto, and successful EU agreement on $54 billion to Ukraine.[17][18]
Later on the same day, May 24, 2024, the State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Eastern Europe amidst escalating concerns over Russia's advances in Ukraine[19], as it opens new northern front with an attack on the Kharkiv region[20], potential Russian interference in Moldova[21], and pro-Moscow legislation in Georgia[22]. Blinken will visit the Moldovan capital of Chişinau on May 29, Wednesday to discuss Moldova's question. The next two days he will spend in Prague at the NATO's last major diplomatic gathering before leaders meet in Washington in July. There, Blinken will meet Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, and other officials to deliberate on support for Ukraine, and Georgia's «Russian law», which sparked major protests around the country with a chant: «Yes to Europe, No to Russian Law».[23][24]
Ukraine's question[edit]
Public stance on NATO[edit]
Post-Soviet era[edit]
After Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004, which ousted a pro-Russian government, the country saw the election of a pro-NATO Viktor Yushchenko as the new president of Ukraine.[25] Although it still did not reflect on public opinion with a significant vote of 60% against joining NATO.[26][27]
2014 Crimea annexation[edit]
Ever since Russia annexed Crimea and 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, Ukraine's interest in joining the Alliance has been growing gradually. After the 2022 invasion, Ukraine's public stance on NATO membership witnessed a significant shift in public opinion from a relatively low 59.2% in favour and 28.1% against[28] in 2021 to a resounding 89% in favour by May 2023. Subsequently, the rate stabilized at 77% in favor and 5% against by 2024.[29]
NATO's stance on Ukraine[edit]
At an Atlantic Council event, US permanent representative to NATO Julianne Smith indicated that NATO was not ready to extend a formal invitation to Ukraine for membership during the previous summer at the 2023 Vilnius summit and is unlikely to do so at the upcoming 2024 NATO Summit in Washington. Instead, she expects NATO allies to provide Ukraine with a "deliverable" that would bring the country closer to membership, focusing on institutionalizing the bilateral support that has grown over the past two years. While details on this deliverable remain unclear, Smith emphasized NATO's ongoing commitment to Ukraine through measures like the NATO-Ukraine Council, established at the 2023 NATO Summit.[30]
NATO officially highlights support for Ukraine is unwavering,[31] with the alliance determined to stand by Ukraine indefinitely. This stance is meant to send a strong message to Russia that NATO allies remain united and committed. She highlighted that NATO is actively engaging with Ukraine and has no intentions of abandoning its support, demonstrating solidarity and patience in the face of ongoing conflict.[32]
Although some Alliance members, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have pushed for Kyiv's accession to the alliance, they acknowledge that it is not possible before the war ends due to fears of being directly involved in the war.[33][34][35]
Summit[edit]
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024) |
Participants[edit]
| Non-NATO member |
| Country or organization |
Head of Delegation | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
 NATO
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Jens Stoltenberg | Secretary General | |
 Albania
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 Belgium
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 Bulgaria
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 Canada
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 Croatia
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 Czech Republic
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 Denmark
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 Estonia
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 Finland
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 France
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 Germany
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 Greece
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 Hungary
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 Iceland
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 Italy
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 Latvia
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 Lithuania
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 Luxembourg
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 Montenegro
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 Netherlands
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 North Macedonia
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 Norway
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 Poland
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 Portugal
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 Romania
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 Slovakia
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 Slovenia
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 Spain
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 Sweden
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 Turkey
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 United Kingdom
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 United States
|
Joe Biden (host) | President |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "NATO Summit". www.nato.int. NATO.
- ^ "NATO summits". nato.int. NATO.
- ^ "The Washingtop NATO Summit: Ukraine and transatlantic security". www.atlanticcouncil.org. Atlantic Council.
- ^ Baker, Peter (13 October 2023). "North Korea Shipped Arms to Russia for Use in Ukraine, U.S. Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Readout of National Security Advisor Sullivan's Meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg". whitehouse.gov. The White House. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Jeglinskas, Giedrimas; Sergejeva, Zelma (6 November 2023). "How to keep NATO relevant into 2024 and beyond". atlanticcouncil.org. Atlantic Council. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ Rimmer, Morgan; Barrett, Ted (30 April 2024). "Senate passes $95 billion package sending aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delay". CNN.
- ^ The Associated Press (14 May 2024). "Antony Blinken visits Ukraine to tout U.S. support for Kyiv's fight against Russia's advances". NBC News.
- ^ Lewis, Simon (14 May 2024). "Blinken, in Kyiv, vows unwavering US support as Russian attacks intensify". Reuters.
- ^ Spike, Justin (24 May 2024). "Hungary will seek to opt out of NATO efforts to support Ukraine, Orbán says". AP News.
- ^ Dunai, Marton; Foy, Henry (24 May 2024). "Hungary seeks to 'redefine' its Nato membership over Ukraine". Financial Times.
- ^ "EU Solidarity with Ukraine". eu-solidarity-ukraine.ec.europa.eu. European Union.
- ^ "NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine". www.nato.int. NATO.
- ^ Associated Press (24 May 2024). "Hungary to seek to opt out of NATO efforts to support Ukraine, Orban says". Voice of America.
- ^ "EU threatens to silence Hungary, if it blocks Ukrainian funds". Politico.
- ^ Foy, Henry; Bounds, Andy; Dunai, Marton (28 January 2024). "Brussels threatens to hit Hungary's economy if Viktor Orbán vetoes Ukraine aid". Financial Times.
- ^ "European Union agrees on new $54bn aid package for Ukraine". Aljazeera. 1 February 2024.
- ^ "EU Leaders agree on €50 billion of reliable financial support for Ukraine until 2027". neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu. European Union.
- ^ Meheut, Constant (23 May 2024). "Advancing Russian Troops Threaten to Reverse Some of Ukraine's Hard-Won Gains". The New York Times.
- ^ McArthur, Tom (21 May 2024). "Thousands flee Russian offensive in Kharkiv region". BBC News.
- ^ Donald Jensen, PhD; James Rupert (1 May 2024). "In Russia's Hybrid War on Europe, Moldova's Critical Next 15 Months". www.usip.org. United States Institute of Peace.
- ^ Nechepurenko, Ivan (18 May 2024). "Georgia's President Vetoes Foreign Influence Law". The New York Times.
- ^ "Live Blog: 'Yes to Europe, No to Russian Law' – Rallies Against Foreign Agents Bill". Civil Georgia.
- ^ Lee, Matthew (24 May 2024). "Blinken will head to eastern Europe as concerns mount about Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia". ABC News.
- ^ "Medvedev warns on Nato expansion". BBC News. 25 March 2008.
- ^ Interfax-Ukraine (10 January 2013). "Poll: Almost half of Ukrainians back Ukraine's accession to EU". Kyiv Post.
- ^ "Almost half of Ukrainians want to join the EU, slightly less want to join the Customs Union". Ukrainska Pravda. 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Attitude to the access of Ukraine to the EU and NATO, attitude to direct negotiations with v. putin, and perception of the military threat from Russia: results of the telephone survey conducted december 13-16, 2021". KIV INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE SOCIOLOGY.
- ^ "All UKRAINIAN Survey" (PDF). ratinggroup.ua. Center for insights in survey research.
- ^ "TExpect a new 'bridge' to NATO membership for Ukraine at the Washington summit, says Julianne Smith". www.atlanticcouncil.org. Atlantic Council.
- ^ Ching, Nike (29 November 2024). "Blinken: 'No Fatigue' in NATO Support of Ukraine". Voice of America.
- ^ "NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine". www.nato.int. NATO. 21 March 2024.
- ^ Besch, Sophia; Ciaramella, Eric (24 October 2024). "Ukraine's Accession Poses a Unique Conundrum for the EU". carnegieendowment.org. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- ^ Glenn, Mike. "U.S. NATO envoy doesn't expect Ukraine to be offered membership at July D.C. summit". The Washington Times. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Kostina, Ivanna; Pohorilov, Stanislav (5 April 2024). "Ukraine won't be invited to NATO at Washington summit in order not to bring NATO into war – NYT". Ukrainska Pravda.