The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) concluded its historic 75th anniversary summit in Washington, D.C. from July 9-11, 2024. The three-day gathering brought together leaders from all 32 member states, demonstrating the continued strength and unity of the transatlantic alliance. The NATO Summit 2024 focused on reaffirming support for Ukraine, addressing global security challenges, and charting the organization’s future in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
Ukraine Support Takes Center Stage
Support for Ukraine dominated the summit’s agenda. The United States announced a new $225 million security package for Ukraine, which included a Patriot missile battery and additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems. In a bilateral meeting, President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of unwavering support, stating, “We will stay with you, period.”
Several NATO members stepped up their military assistance to Ukraine during the summit. Norway pledged to donate six F-16 fighter jets and contribute 1 billion Norwegian kroner ($92.69 million) to support Ukraine’s air defense. Denmark and the Netherlands also began the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, fulfilling a long-standing request from Kyiv.
The summit saw the establishment of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) initiative. This program, led by a three-star general based in Germany, aimed to coordinate equipment, training, and force development to support Ukraine’s path to full interoperability with NATO. Additionally, NATO announced the appointment of a senior civilian representative in Kyiv to act as a focal point for engagement with senior Ukrainian officials.
President Zelenskyy used the summit as a platform to push for greater freedom in Ukraine’s military operations. He urged NATO allies to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons against targets in Russia, arguing that such a move would be a “game-changer” in the conflict. This request highlighted the ongoing debate within the alliance about the extent of military support for Ukraine and the risks of escalation with Russia.
Defense Spending and Industrial Base
The NATO Summit 2024 highlighted significant progress in defense spending among member states. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reported that 23 allies were now meeting the target of spending 2% of their GDP on defense, up from just three in 2014. This increase in defense spending was coupled with efforts to strengthen the transatlantic defense industrial base.
Allies agreed to contracts worth $10 billion for the production of arms and ammunition to replenish stocks. They also pledged to coordinate national plans to improve industrial capacity, enhance standardization, and strengthen demand signals to industry. The summit emphasized the need to couple increased defense spending with a strengthened transatlantic defense industrial base to ensure the production and sustainment of battle-decisive munitions.
Strategic Challenges and Partnerships
The summit addressed a range of strategic challenges facing the alliance. NATO leaders expressed concern over China’s growing assertiveness and its support for Russia’s war effort. The alliance called on Beijing to cease all support for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. However, this stance was not universally embraced, with Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stating that his country would not support NATO becoming an “anti-China” bloc.
NATO also focused on strengthening partnerships beyond its traditional Euro-Atlantic sphere. The summit welcomed Indo-Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. These partners, along with NATO allies, launched four new Flagship Projects focusing on support for Ukraine, cyber defense cooperation, information exchange on disinformation challenges, and engagement on Artificial Intelligence.
Modernized Deterrence and Defense
At the NATO Summit 2024, leaders took steps to advance the alliance’s modernized command structure and implement a new generation of defense plans. These plans, covering all domains from air, land, and sea to cyber and space, represented the first comprehensive defense strategy developed by NATO since the end of the Cold War.
The United States announced plans to station Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany starting in 2026, including SM-6 and developmental hypersonic weapons. This move aimed to demonstrate America’s commitment to European security and contribute to integrated deterrence efforts. However, Russia swiftly responded, stating it would act to counter this planned deployment, which it viewed as a serious threat to its national security.
In a significant development, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland signed a letter of intent to develop ground-launched cruise missiles with a range beyond 500km (310 miles), aiming to fill perceived gaps in European arsenals exposed by Russia’s war in Ukraine. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized that the new missile was meant to serve as a deterrent.
Internal Challenges and Political Uncertainties
While presenting a united front, the NATO Summit 2024 also highlighted some internal challenges facing the alliance. The potential return to power of former U.S. President Donald Trump loomed over the proceedings, given his past criticism of NATO. Some European leaders privately expressed concerns about the implications of a second Trump presidency for transatlantic relations and NATO’s cohesion.
These concerns were heightened by reports that Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has strained relations with NATO allies, was set to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago immediately following the summit. Orbán’s actions, including meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping en route to Washington, raised eyebrows within the alliance. The summit also took place against the backdrop of growing far-right populism in Europe. New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made his debut on the NATO stage, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to the alliance and signaling a more collaborative approach to European security. President Biden appeared to back Starmer’s ambition for closer UK-EU ties, potentially signaling shifts in post-Brexit foreign policy.
Looking Ahead and Addressing Future Challenges
As NATO marked its 75th anniversary, the summit demonstrated the alliance’s continued relevance in addressing complex global security challenges. The outcomes reflected NATO’s attempts to balance immediate security concerns with long-term strategic planning. Key areas of focus for the future included:
1. Sustaining long-term support for Ukraine while managing the risk of direct confrontation with Russia
2. Addressing the growing military threat posed by China and its alignment with other authoritarian powers
3. Maintaining alliance cohesion in the face of internal political pressures and diverging strategic priorities
4. Adapting to emerging security threats, including cyber warfare, climate change, and technological disruption
5. Balancing the need for increased defense spending with domestic economic pressures in member states
The summit also saw the selection of Mark Rutte as the next NATO Secretary General, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg after a decade of service to the alliance. The NATO Summit 2024 reaffirmed the alliance’s central role in transatlantic security and its determination to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. While celebrating 75 years of collective defense, NATO leaders grappled with evolving strategic challenges and internal pressures that will shape the alliance’s future.
As geopolitical tensions rise and the global security landscape becomes increasingly complex, NATO’s ability to adapt, innovate, and maintain unity will be crucial in safeguarding the peace and stability of its member states in the years to come. The outcomes of the summit – including enhanced support for Ukraine, strategic warnings to China, and efforts to strengthen European defense capabilities – demonstrated NATO’s commitment to addressing current threats while preparing for future challenges.
However, the summit also highlighted the delicate balancing act NATO must perform, navigating internal political uncertainties, managing relationships with rising powers like China, and adapting to evolving threats. As the alliance moves forward, its success will depend on the continued political will of its members to uphold NATO’s principles and commitments in an increasingly unpredictable world.
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