Special envoy to Madrid
As a new ritual of international meetings, Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on the screens.
The Ukrainian president addresses the thirty Heads of State and Government of NATO, gathered in Madrid for a historic summit, that of the transformation of the Atlantic Alliance after the outbreak of the Russian invasion.
A “ defensive
” military alliance
, NATO has been careful for four months not to cross the red line between support for Kiev and participation in the conflict.
The meeting takes place behind closed doors.
But Volodymyr Zelensky broadcast the video, shortly after speaking, on his Telegram account.
He asks the Alliance to be “
brave
”.
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In his speech, Volodymyr Zelensky does not come back to it, except indirectly at the end of his speech, by wondering about the "
price to pay
" to join the Alliance.
He is pleased that Finland and Sweden will soon be able to join the Alliance.
"
It's good that the decision came now
," he says, before Russia
"can act against these states,"
he says.
The Ukrainian president is serious, and delivers warnings.
"Any attempt at dialogue is perceived as a weakness
," he said, as a warning to those, such as Emmanuel Macron, who may have tried to keep a window of dialogue open with the Kremlin.
This conflict
is a war to dictate terms to Europe
,” he warns.
Ukraine can count on us, as long as necessary
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the Alliance
Volodymyr Zelensky calls for means to fight urgently.
“
You have this modern equipment
,” he says.
“
For us to break the preponderance of Russian artillery, we need a lot more modern systems,
” he insists.
“
Financial support for Ukraine is as important as aid for armaments
,” he continues.
The cost of war and its destruction weaken the country: "
We need about 5 billion dollars a month."
"If you really define Russia as the main threat, you must fully support its first and main target
," he said.
The allies nod.
They also took note of it in the new "
strategic concept
" adopted on Wednesday, even before the end of the summit.
This document, twelve years after the previous one, defines NATO's roadmap for the decade to come.
"
The Euro-Atlantic area is not at peace
", note the allies.
“
We cannot rule out the possibility of an attack on the territorial integrity or the integrity of an ally
,” they write, naming Russia as “
the most significant and direct threat
.”
Russia “
seeks to establish spheres of influence and direct control through coercion, subversion, aggression and annexation
”.
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If NATO is not directly at war with Russia, it is doing everything possible to ensure that kyiv wins.
"
Ukraine can count on us for as long as necessary
," pledged Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, listing the assistance provided.
He announced a "
package
including communications, medical, anti-mine and chemical and biological threat capabilities, as well as hundreds of anti-drone systems.
Other countries have also announced individually the shipment of new materials.
Norway indicated the delivery of three multiple rocket launchers.
The day before, Germany howitzers.
On Tuesday France also mentioned sending forward armored vehicles.
Several dozen have been promised and the first equipment is already on its way.
Strengthening of the American presence
The protection of Europe is, for its part, more than ever in the hands of the United States.
US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday a strengthening of his military presence on the continent with the creation of a new permanent command center in Poland, the dispatch of two destroyers in addition to the four already present in Spain, the presence two new F-35 squadrons in the United Kingdom, 3000 additional soldiers in Romania, a reinforced military presence in Germany and Italy.
Joe Biden has promised to defend "
every inch
" of European territory if necessary.
Jens Stoltenberg, seated next to him, welcomed “
decisive leadership
”.
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Faced with the Russian threat, Jens Stoltenberg confirmed the strengthening of the Allied "
posture
" with more than 300,000 forces at "
high level of readiness
".
These are allied troops pre-assigned to NATO missions and more quickly mobilized.
The figure is made to impress.
Within the French delegation, we do not comment on it.
It would only correspond to an "
addition
of mobilized troops and it would not have been discussed as such.
Beyond the feeling of hesitation, France is ready to take its share of the effort as it does as a framework nation in Romania, it is said.
But European strategic autonomy, supported by France, no longer really seems to be a priority.
In NATO's strategic concept, the European Union is nevertheless mentioned as “
an essential partner
” for the Alliance.
NATO “
recognizes the value of a stronger and more capable European defense which contributes positively to global and transatlantic security
”.
It still remains to be built.
“
We are at 126 days of war.
Do you have ten years ahead of you?
asked Volodymyr Zelensky in his speech.
