Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia to NATO headquarters on Thursday, 27 June 2024, to discuss final preparations for the upcoming Washington Summit, including additional support for Ukraine.
During the meeting, Mr. Stoltenberg commended Estonia's significant contributions to Allied security, noting that the country "leads by example by investing more than 3% of its GDP in defense." He also praised Estonia's "unprecedented" support for Ukraine and its commitment to continuing this support in the future. Stoltenberg highlighted NATO's support for Estonia, including a multinational Tapa battlegroup, fighter jet patrols, and an upcoming deployment of an air defense battery from Spain.
The Secretary-General outlined the priorities for the NATO Summit, expressing his expectation that "Allied leaders will agree on a long-term pledge of support to Ukraine, providing greater predictability for the long haul." He mentioned that the Summit will also address NATO's deterrence and defense. He noted, "We have agreed on new, more ambitious defense plans; Allies are delivering more forces, high readiness, and investing in high-end capabilities. This year, 23 Allies will invest more than 2% of their GDP in defense, marking significant progress." Lastly, Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of global partnerships for the Alliance, confirming that these will remain a key focus at the Washington Summit and beyond.
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