NATO "can no longer rule out" Russia attack - Putin threatens tensions

Created: 06/30/2022Updated: 06/30/2022 09:18

By: Patrick Mayer

On June 29th and 30th, the transatlantic defense alliance NATO meets in Madrid because of the Ukraine war.

Follow all decisions here in the news ticker.

• Weapons

  bang at

  NATO summit

  : Spain wants to deliver German Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

• Russia

  speaks up at

  NATO summit

  : Moscow reacts to US announcement.

• Germany

  provides 15,000

  soldiers

  : rapid reaction force is significantly increased.

• This

  news ticker for the NATO summit in Madrid (June 29/30)

  is continuously updated.

Update from June 30, 8:56 a.m.:

At the summit, NATO approved a new strategic concept in which Russia is classified as the "greatest and most immediate threat to the security of allies".

In the old strategy from 2010, the military alliance was still striving for a "genuine strategic partnership between NATO and Russia". 

But in the meantime she apparently thinks attacks by Moscow are possible: “The Russian Federation has violated the norms and principles that have contributed to a stable and predictable European security order.

quoted as saying

from the relevant strategy paper.

NATO summit: Putin threatens Sweden and Finland – "There will be tension"

Update from June 30, 6:22 a.m

.: Finland and Sweden are allowed into NATO.

The admissions process is ongoing.

Vladimir Putin is now threatening: Russia has "no problem" with the planned accession, the Kremlin chief told journalists in the Turkmen capital Ashgabad.

There are no “territorial differences” between the two countries.

Vladimir Putin (r), President of Russia, speaks to journalists after the summit of the Caspian Sea countries.

© Dmitry Azarov/dpa

"We don't have problems with Sweden and Finland like we have with Ukraine." However, if "military contingents and military infrastructure are deployed" in the states, Russia would be forced to respond in the same way, Putin added.

"Everything was good between us, but now there will be some tension - that's obvious, without a doubt, it can't be done without it," he was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency.

Putin also accused NATO of “imperial ambitions”.

The military alliance is trying to assert its “supremacy” through the Ukraine conflict.

also read

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Russia now controls Luhansk almost completely - but US experts now see a disadvantage for Putin

Weapons bang at NATO summit: Spain wants to deliver German Leopard tanks to Ukraine

Update from June 29, 10:10 p.m .:

Sudden weapon turnaround at the NATO summit: As the ZDF “heute journal” reports, alliance member Spain wants to deliver ten Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine to defend against the Russian invading troops.

Accordingly, it needs the consent of Germany, since the tanks were manufactured in the Federal Republic.

“We will wait to see if Spain actually makes this request.

And then we in the federal government will make a quick decision about it," said Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) in the evening on the show.

The minister avoided questions as to why Germany was not providing the same tanks.

According to various reports, the German defense company Rheinmetall had offered Kyiv 88 decommissioned Leopard 1 tanks, but the traffic light government refused such a delivery.

Ukraine had explicitly requested anti-aircraft gun tanks of the Gepard type "to protect critical infrastructure," Lambrecht said instead of the "cheetahs" that are soon to arrive in the war zone.

At the NATO summit it was also decided that 15,000 soldiers of the future 300,000-strong NATO Rapid Reaction Force would come from the German Bundeswehr.

"We can ensure that we can also provide what we have promised to NATO," Lambrecht told ZDF: "This also includes sending additional soldiers." The signal is: "We stand by each other and we protect each other.”

Update from June 29, 8:45 p.m .:

Joe Biden is clearly addressing Vladimir Putin.

At the NATO summit in Madrid, the US President will present the US plans for a military deterrent against Russia in Europe - an overview.

Russia speaks up at NATO summit: Moscow reacts to US announcement

Update from June 29, 7.30 p.m .:

Russia has threatened “compensatory measures” in view of the announced US troop reinforcements in Europe.

Moscow offered Washington talks about mutual security guarantees last year in order to avoid an escalation scenario, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday, according to the

.

The USA had missed this opportunity, he said: "What is happening right now will definitely lead to compensatory measures on our part.

I think that those who propose such solutions are under the illusion that they can intimidate Russia, somehow contain it.

They won't be able to do that.” At the NATO summit in Madrid, US President Joe Biden declared that the US intends to further expand its troop presence in Europe as a result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

According to Biden, one focus of the US troop reinforcements is the eastern flank of NATO - such as Poland.

Signal to Kyiv: NATO offers Ukraine membership in the future

Update from June 29, 4:35 p.m.:

In the newly presented strategic concept, the NATO members directly address the possibility of Ukraine being included in the future.

"The security of states that aspire to membership in NATO is intertwined with our own." That is why the political dialogue and cooperation with the states that want to join the alliance will be strengthened.

"We will continue to expand our partnerships with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine in order to further promote our common interest in peace, stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region," the concept continues.

Reaffirm the decisions taken at the 2008 Bucharest NATO summit with regard to Ukraine and Georgia.

At the summit, NATO members Ukraine and Georgia promised membership for the first time.

NATO presents new strategy concept - Admission procedures for Sweden and Finland official

Update from June 29, 2:30 p.m .:

The heads of state and government of the 30 NATO countries agreed on a new strategic concept for the military alliance at their summit in Madrid.

The dpa learned this on Wednesday from meeting participants.

The basic document for political and military planning describes Russia as the “greatest and most immediate threat to the security of the allies and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area”, China as a challenge.

With a view to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Stoltenberg stated that Kyiv could rely on NATO “as long as possible”.

In addition, the members decided to significantly strengthen NATO's eastern flank.

A new armed forces model envisages that 300,000 soldiers will be on high operational readiness in the future.

The procedure for admitting Finland and Sweden has now officially started in Madrid.

According to information from the dpa, all 30 participants agreed to the plans, as expected.

Scholz promises Ukraine further arms deliveries at NATO summit

Update from June 29, 11:06 a.m

.: Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised Kiev “to provide weapons that Ukraine urgently needs”.

The SPD politician reiterated at the NATO summit: "The message is: We will continue this for as long and as intensively as is necessary so that Ukraine can defend itself."

Scholz also welcomed the fact that Ankara had given up blocking Sweden and Finland from joining NATO.

That is "something that is very, very important to us," said the SPD politician.

"Both countries fit in very well with our alliance." Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) had previously announced that Germany would deliver three more Panzerhaubitzen 2000. Seven of these heavy artillery pieces from Bundeswehr stocks had already arrived in the Ukraine.

NATO summit: Secretary General Stoltenberg calls Putin "direct threat"

Update from June 29, 9.34 a.m

.: Shortly before the further consultations, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed: The NATO summit will bring the “biggest realignment of our collective defense since the Cold War”.

Against the background of the escalating Ukraine conflict, the Norwegian described Russia as a “direct threat to our security”.

Stoltenberg wants a rapid reaction force, increased to 300,000 soldiers, to be operational in the coming year.

Among other things, further aid commitments for Ukraine are expected from the summit.

Its President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is to be added as a guest.

In the meantime, the dispute with NATO country Turkey over the accession of Finland and Sweden has been settled.

The two EU countries pledged to take tougher action against the Kurdish Workers' Party PKK, classified as a terrorist organization in Turkey, the EU and the US.

NATO summit: Bundeswehr expert sees alliance "on the way towards Cold War 2.0"

Update from June 29, 8.44 a.m

.: The Bundeswehr Association Chairman André Wüstner sees NATO before a “paradigm shift”.

The alliance is on the way to the old spatial responsibility as before 1990, said Wüstner in the ZDF "Morgenmagazin".

Individual alliance partners would be increasingly assigned areas on the eastern flank, and there would also be increased operational readiness.

"Actually on the way to Cold War 2.0," judged Wüstner.

NATO wants to drastically increase the number of its rapid reaction forces from the current 40,000 to 300,000.

Germany is to provide 15,000 workers.

That is a huge challenge in view of the currently smallest Bundeswehr of all time.

"The Minister of Defense has a lot to do there," emphasized the head of the association.

There is a "credible deterrent" as a basis for dialogue.

One can only hope that this will work and that there will be another phase of disarmament in the medium and long term.

The special fund of 100 billion euros will not be sufficient for the Bundeswehr, Wüstner said.

A reintroduction of conscription is not needed as of now.

But he thinks the debate about general compulsory service is right, said Wüstner.

NATO summit: Germany provides 15,000 soldiers for intervention forces

Update from June 28, 9:45 p.m .:

Germany will contribute 15,000 soldiers from the Bundeswehr to the expanded NATO intervention forces.

The federal government is ready to "provide a division, that is: 15,000 soldiers," said Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht shortly before the start of the NATO summit in Madrid.

In addition, according to their information, "approximately 65 aircraft and 20 ships" should come.

"NATO must be strong, and that must also be reflected in the numbers of soldiers," Lambrecht added.

Germany is ready to make a contribution.

The expanded NATO intervention forces are said to consist of more than 300,000 soldiers.

Baerbock before the NATO summit: "It's completely open how long the war in Ukraine will last"

Update from June 28, 9:11 p.m .:

According to Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, it is completely open how long the war in Ukraine will last.

"We don't know when the war will end.

It could end tomorrow when the Russian President stops the bombing," said the Green politician ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid that begins on Wednesday.

This is the hope expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

And the West must do everything to keep this hope alive.

"We will do everything to ensure that Ukraine remains a sovereign state and that the whole country can live in peace and freedom," promised Baerbock.

Sweden and Finland join NATO: Turkey's President Erdogan gives up resistance

Update from June 28, 8:57 p.m .:

Turkey has given up its resistance to Sweden and Finland joining NATO and has thus cleared the way for accession talks.

Turkey will support the invitation to Finland and Sweden to join the alliance during the NATO summit in Madrid, said Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.

A memorandum to this effect was signed after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In talks with the two Nordic countries, Turkey "got what it wanted," the Turkish Presidential Office said.

NATO summit: military alliance wants to increase the intervention force

Update from June 28, 5:30 p.m .:

NATO wants to increase its rapid reaction force to over 300,000 soldiers in response to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Bundeswehr also provides a large contingent.

But that's not all - an overview of what the expansion of the NATO Response Force (NRF) means for Germany.

NATO summit in Madrid: USA want to move more troops to Europe

First report from June 28:

Munich/Madrid - Further reactions to the Russia-Ukraine war are to be announced: The NATO summit will take place in Madrid on Wednesday and Thursday (June 29/30).

The transatlantic defense alliance wants to use this to present further answers to the Russian attack on its western neighbor.

The first indications were already given in advance: The USA wants to permanently strengthen its military presence in Europe.

The US government will make specific announcements Wednesday about "long-term" additional forces on land, sea and air, US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday (June 28).

The pledges would “extend beyond the duration of this crisis.”

Among other things, more US warships should be stationed at the Rota military base in Spain, which the United States also uses - it is about six instead of four destroyers.

Chancellor Scholz announces: Germany is planning the largest conventional army in Western Europe

Sullivan also hinted at a renewed increase in forces on NATO's eastern flank, but gave no details.

It's about "accounting for a more acute and heightened Russian threat," he said.

There are now more than 100,000 US soldiers in Europe due to the increase in troops due to the war in Ukraine.

The United States has not ruled out a permanently higher troop presence in recent months.

Among other things, 4,000 other soldiers arrived at the Grafenwöhr military training area in the Bavarian Upper Palatinate in mid-March.

German-American cooperation is particularly emphasized: According to Olaf Scholz (SPD), Germany is now the country in Europe that, alongside the USA, "certainly makes the largest contribution" to NATO.

"Then, and that is also important for NATO's overall defense capability, the largest conventional army within the NATO framework in Europe will be created," said the Chancellor after the G7 summit meeting in Bavaria on the ARD program "Bekennen Farb".

NATO summit in Madrid in the news ticker: meeting in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war

With the approval of the special fund of one hundred billion euros for the Bundeswehr by the German Bundestag in response to the Russia-Ukraine war, consensus was reached in Germany "that we spend more money on defense," explained Scholz: "We will spend an average of around 70 to 80 billion euros per year on defense over the next few years.

And then Germany is the country that invests the most in this.”

Follow all developments and decisions on the NATO summit in Madrid (June 29/30) here in the news ticker.