Talks between defense ministers will specifically address, for example, strengthening the eastern flank with additional NATO troops. The Baltic states, in particular, are pushing for significantly greater support from allies after the Russian attack on Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced last week that Germany would again expand its troop presence in Lithuania.
The Brussels talks are being overshadowed by the persistent refusal of Alliance member Turkey to agree to the start of NATO membership talks with Finland and Sweden. The two countries applied for inclusion in the defense alliance in mid-May. So far, however, Turkey has blocked the admission process and justifies its position with Finland and Sweden’s alleged support for “terrorist organizations” such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), also banned in the European Union.