NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels

02/13/2023 21:30 (act. 02/13/2023 21:30)

Expansion of the weapon system on the board ©APA/AFP

Defense ministers from 30 NATO countries are gathering for a two-day meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. The theme will be the war in Ukraine and the joint efforts of the western military alliance to expand stockpiles of arms and ammunition. Furthermore, following the alleged acts of sabotage against the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, additional protection for critical underwater infrastructure must be involved. This also includes data cables.

Even before the NATO meeting, the US is organizing consultations of the so-called Ukraine contact group in the morning (10:00 am). They coordinate arms deliveries to the country attacked by Russia. NATO is officially left out because non-allied countries are also part of the Contact Group. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov is also expected. He must again demand the delivery of fighters. No decision is expected.

On Wednesday, it should be about strengthening the so-called eastern flank. It is planned to increase the number of soldiers in high operational readiness from 40,000 to 300,000. The meeting is overshadowed by the fact that Turkey is blocking the admission of the two Nordic countries, Finland and Sweden, to NATO. All 30 member countries must agree to an expansion of the alliance.