NATO announced on Wednesday that it will continue to support Ukraine "on the irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership," while confirming that the next NATO summit in 2025 will be held in the Netherlands, while Turkey will host the 2026 summit.
A final statement following a meeting of NATO heads of state and government at the summit in Washington, which continues on Thursday, confirmed that the alliance members decided to provide no less than $40 billion in funding to Ukraine in 2025.
The statement indicated that the invitation to join the alliance will be sent to Ukraine once the allies agree and the conditions are met, adding: "We fully support Ukraine's right to choose its security arrangements and determine its future without external interference."
The statement called on all countries to avoid "assisting Russia in Ukraine in any way," noted that China continues to create systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, and expressed concerns about the rapid expansion of China's space capabilities and nuclear arsenal.
NATO reiterated its invitation to Beijing to participate in the strategic risk reduction talks, adding: "We call on China, which bears a special responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to cease all forms of material and political support for the Russian war effort."
On another level, the statement stated that the war against terrorism "remains indispensable in terms of NATO's collective defence", and stressed that the alliance will continue to confront "with all determination" the threats and challenges posed by terrorists and terrorist organisations.
NATO pointed out that the Western Balkans and Black Sea regions are of strategic importance to the alliance. The statement affirmed the alliance's strong commitment to security and stability in the two regions, and indicated that political dialogue and practical cooperation with the Western Balkans will continue to develop in order to support regional peace and security.
Referring to the Montreux Convention on the Straits, the statement affirmed support for the efforts of NATO members to maintain the security, safety, stability and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea region.
The Montreux Convention, signed in 1936, allows warships of countries not bordering the Black Sea to pass through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus Straits, provided that they notify Turkey of the passage 15 days in advance, and remain in the Black Sea for a period not exceeding 21 days.
Support for Ukraine
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