NATO celebrated its 75th anniversary with a commitment to supporting Ukraine, amidst Russian troops' advancements. Ukraine faces ammunition shortages and lowered the military conscription age. Allies like Estonia are urging for more military equipment for Ukraine's defense. NATO plans to enhance military support for Ukraine amid ongoing attacks. NATO's founding treaty was signed on April 4, 1949, in Washington, with a larger celebration scheduled for a leaders' meeting in July. US Secretary of State commended the courage of military personnel in upholding NATO's defense commitment.
Estonia's Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for joining NATO 20 years ago, stating that without membership, the country's independence would be at risk like Ukraine. Seven countries, including Estonia, joined NATO on March 29, 2004. NATO expansion anniversary was marked with military events across Central and Eastern Europe, highlighting the security provided by the alliance. Former Soviet satellites in NATO warn of Russia's threat, with some nations spending over 2% of GDP on defense. Romania's President emphasized the need for NATO's eastern flank strength due to Russia's long-term threat.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is exploring the establishment of a $100 billion fund over five years to bolster long-term support for Ukraine, aiming to secure assistance amidst concerns about potential US policy changes. Stoltenberg emphasized the need for NATO to provide more consistent support and coordination for Ukraine's military needs. While the fund wouldn't sustain Ukraine's war effort indefinitely, it aims to offer crucial support. Concerns over a potential second term for Donald Trump raising doubts on US aid to Kyiv are prompting NATO's strategic planning for Ukraine's stability.
Relations between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started in 1991 following Ukraine's independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Ukraine first joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994, later joining the Planning and Review Process in 1997 and the NATO-Ukraine Commission in 1998. Although Ukraine initially declared neutrality and non-alignment with military blocs after independence, it later signaled interest in eventual NATO membership. After Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Ukraine began actively pursuing NATO membership, formally declaring it a strategic policy objective in 2017.However, NATO membership prospects remain uncertain due to ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and concerns over meeting membership criteria. While public support for NATO membership has risen in Ukraine since 2014, the prospect continues to face opposition from Russia, which sees Ukraine's potential NATO accession as a security threat.A 2017 poll found that some 69% of Ukrainians wanted to join NATO, compared to 28% in 2012 when Yanukovych was in power. In February 2019, the Ukrainian parliament voted to amend the Constitution of Ukraine to state Ukraine's goal of NATO and European Union membership. At the June 2021 Brussels summit, NATO leaders reiterated the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest summit that Ukraine would eventually become a NATO member with the MAP as an integral part of the process, and Ukraine's right to determine its future and foreign policy without outside interference. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also stressed that Russia will not be able to veto Ukraine's accession to NATO "as we will not return to the era of spheres of interest, when large countries decide what smaller ones should do." Before further actions on NATO membership were taken, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.Polls conducted between 2005 and 2013 found low support among Ukrainians for NATO membership. However, since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014, Ukrainian public support for NATO membership has risen greatly. Since June 2014, polls showed that about 50% of those asked supported Ukrainian NATO membership.On 30 September 2022, Ukraine formally applied to join NATO, following Russia's annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine.
NATO is a military alliance of thirty-one European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense. The process of joining the alliance is governed by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows for the invitation of "other European States" only and by subsequent agreements. Countries wishing to join must meet certain requirements and complete a multi-step process involving political dialog and military integration. The accession process is overseen by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body. NATO was formed in 1949 with twelve founding members and has added new members nine times. The first additions were Greece and Turkey in 1952. In May 1955, West Germany joined NATO, which was one of the conditions agreed to as part of the end of the country's occupation by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, prompting the Soviet Union to form its own collective security alliance (commonly called the Warsaw Pact) later that month. Following the end of the Franco regime, newly democratic Spain chose to join NATO in 1982.In 1990, the negotiators reached an agreement that a reunified Germany would be in NATO under West Germany's existing membership. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, many former Warsaw Pact and post-Soviet states sought to join NATO. Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic became NATO members in 1999, amid much debate within NATO itself and Russian opposition. NATO then formalized the process of joining the organization with "Membership Action Plans", which aided the accession of seven Central and Eastern Europe countries shortly before the 2004 Istanbul summit: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Two countries on the Adriatic Sea—Albania and Croatia—joined on 1 April 2009 before the 2009 Strasbourg–Kehl summit. The next member states to join NATO were Montenegro on 5 June 2017, and North Macedonia on 27 March 2020.Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 after Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, falsely claimed that NATO military infrastructure was being built up inside Ukraine and that Ukraine's potential future membership was a threat. Russia's invasion prompted Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership in May 2022. Finland joined on 4 April 2023, while the ratification process for Sweden is ongoing. Ukraine applied for NATO membership in September 2022 after Russia proclaimed the annexation of its territory. Two other states have formally informed NATO of their membership aspirations: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia. Kosovo also aspires to join NATO. Joining the alliance is a debate topic in several other European countries outside the alliance, including Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, Moldova, and Serbia.On 26 February 2024, Sweden would complete its last hurdle to joining NATO following approval from the Hungarian Parliament.
Hungary's approval of Sweden's NATO membership marks a historic day, making Sweden the latest NATO member in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Hungary's ratification, emphasizing that Sweden's membership will enhance the alliance's strength and security. With Finland's previous accession, all Baltic Sea countries except Russia are now part of NATO, leading to the region being dubbed a 'NATO lake.' While this move bolsters NATO's control over the Baltic region, Russia still poses a threat from Kaliningrad and undersea infrastructure.
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg emphasizes the necessity for long-term weapon deliveries to Ukraine as delays in support can impact the battlefield. Ukraine lowers conscription age to 25 to address infantry and ammunition shortages. NATO aims to coordinate with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group for weapon procurement. Stoltenberg stresses the need for formal institutional framework as the war continues.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO NAY-toh; French: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance of 31 member states – 29 European and two North American. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the organization implemented the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949. NATO is a collective security system: its independent member states agree to defend each other against attacks by third parties. During the Cold War, NATO operated as a check on the threat posed by the Soviet Union. The alliance remained in place after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact and has been involved in military operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. The organization's motto is animus in consulendo liber (Latin for 'a mind unfettered in deliberation').NATO's main headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium, while NATO's military headquarters are near Mons, Belgium. The alliance has increased its NATO Response Force deployments in Eastern Europe and the combined militaries of all NATO members include around 3.5 million soldiers and personnel. Their combined military spending as of 2022 constituted around 55 percent of the global nominal total. Moreover, members have agreed to reach or maintain the target defence spending of at least two percent of their GDP by 2024.NATO formed with twelve founding members and has added new members nine times, most recently when Finland joined the alliance on 4 April 2023, exactly 74 years after NATO's formation. Following the acceptance of its application for membership in June 2022, and the approval of all 31 member states, concluding with Hungary in February 2024, Sweden will be the 32nd member state to accede to the alliance. In addition, NATO currently recognizes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine as aspiring members. Enlargement has led to tensions with non-member Russia, one of the twenty additional countries participating in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. Another nineteen countries are involved in institutionalized dialogue programmes with NATO.
Sweden officially became the 32nd member of NATO at a flag-raising ceremony in Brussels, Belgium, two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a shift in public opinion. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended the event, with Kristersson expressing humility and pride in Sweden's new role. The move follows Finland's decision to join NATO last year, marking a departure from both countries' historic military non-alignment. President Putin's actions in Ukraine influenced the decision, despite his opposition to NATO's expansion towards Russia.
The leaders of five European Union countries - the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, and the Netherlands - have called for increased military support for Ukraine amidst a shortage of ammunition. They warned that Europe's security is tied to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and emphasized the need for urgent arms deliveries. EU defense ministers have discussed ways to boost production, but delivery times for ammunition can take up to 36 months. The leaders urged European countries to recommit to long-term military support for Ukraine as a joint European responsibility.
A record number of NATO members have pledged to increase their defense spending to meet the 2% of GDP target, signaling a renewed focus on European security. Countries bordering Russia or in its sphere of influence, such as Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, and Slovakia, have drastically increased their defense spending since the invasion of Ukraine. However, increased spending alone does not fix the gaps in European security. Officials stress the importance of coordination and multi-nation deals to ensure efficiency and address specific tasks. There are concerns about overspending and the need for a generational change in defense spending.
A Russian cruise missile strike in Ukraine's Lviv region left one dead, destroyed a building, and caused a fire. Thousands in Odesa region lost power after a downed Russian drone sparked a blaze. Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure led to significant damage in various regions. Russia escalate attacks, with 80% of Ukraine's largest private energy firm, DTEK's generating capacity lost. France commits hundreds of armoured carriers to aid Ukraine. Russian forces maintain advantage over Ukraine in munitions and personnel. Paris mayor bans Russian and Belarusian athletes from Olympics in response to conflict. European countries urged to increase defence investments by Polish prime minister
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an international military alliance consisting of 31 member states from Europe and North America. It was established at the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949. Article 5 of the treaty states that if an armed attack occurs against one of the member states, it shall be considered an attack against all members, and other members shall assist the attacked member, with armed forces if necessary. Article 6 of the treaty limits the scope of Article 5 to the islands north of the Tropic of Cancer, the North American and European mainlands, the entirety of Turkey, and French Algeria, the last of which has been moot since July 1962. Thus, an attack on Hawaii, Puerto Rico, French Guiana, the Falkland Islands, Ceuta or Melilla, among other places, would not trigger an Article 5 response.Of the 31 member countries, 29 are in Europe and two are in North America. Between 1994 and 1997, wider forums for regional cooperation between NATO and its neighbors were set up, including the Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean Dialogue initiative, and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.All members have militaries, except for Iceland, which does not have a typical army (but it does have a coast guard and a small unit of civilian specialists for NATO operations). Three of NATO's members are nuclear weapons states: France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO has 12 original founding member states. Three more members joined between 1952 and 1955, and a fourth joined in 1982. After the end of the Cold War, NATO added 15 more members from 1999 to 2023.NATO currently recognizes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Sweden, and Ukraine as aspiring members as part of their Open Doors enlargement policy.
Sweden and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have a close relationship. Sweden is currently in the process of becoming a member of NATO. As of March 2024, 30 out of 31 NATO member states have ratified Sweden's entry into the alliance.Sweden and NATO regularly carry out joint exercises, cooperating in peacekeeping operations, and sharing information since 1995, when it sent a battalion to the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sweden joined the Partnership for Peace on 9 May 1994. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in March 2023 it was "inconceivable" that NATO would not assist Sweden if the latter's security were threatened.Historically, a minority of the Swedish population has been in favour of NATO membership, but majority opinion changed following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in late February 2022, and Sweden applied to join the organisation on 18 May 2022. On 5 July 2022, NATO signed the accession protocol for Sweden to join. All member states, except Turkey and Hungary, quickly ratified it domestically by the end of September 2022. By late January 2024, Turkey had completed its ratification, and on 26 February 2024, the Hungarian parliament approved Sweden's accession to NATO.
This timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine covers the period from 1 December 2023 to the present day.
This is a list of known military aid, that has been and will be provided to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War, particularly during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This list includes delivered equipment, training, intelligence, treatment of soldiers, logistical support as well as financial support to the Ukrainian government unless earmarked for humanitarian purposes. Weapons donated as a result of cooperation between multiple countries are listed separately in each country category.In total aid (military, financial and humanitarian combined), the European Union and its countries have provided the most to Ukraine, according to Kiel Institute, whereas the United States has by far provided the most in military aid. Since January 2022, mostly Western nations have pledged more than $380 billion in aid to Ukraine, including nearly $118 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine from individual countries.Some NATO countries and allies, such as Germany and Sweden, have reversed past policies against providing offensive military aid in order to support Ukraine, while the European Union for the first time in its history supplied lethal arms through its institutions.The Russian government has condemned the supply of military aid to Ukraine. Russia's president Vladimir Putin said that if military aid stopped, Ukraine would not survive for long. The Center for Strategic and International Studies assessed in December 2023 that if the United States stopped sending military aid, European countries could not quickly fill the gap. If this happened, it forecast that Ukraine's defensive capabilities would gradually weaken and Ukraine's frontline would collapse.
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu warned French defence minister Sebastien Lecornu against deploying troops to Ukraine in a phone call, stating it would create problems for France. France denied Russia's claim of discussing potential Ukraine talks. Additionally, Russian drones hit residences in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, killing five people, including three rescue workers. The strikes led to casualties and injuries in various locations within the city.
The US Congress passed a bill providing $228 million in military and defense aid to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under the Baltic Security Initiative. This aid aims to support military infrastructure and capability development projects in the Baltic nations, focusing on air defense, maritime situational awareness, and land forces. The funding signals US commitment to the security and stability of the region and supports the collaborative defense relationships between the US and the Baltic states through 2028.
Ukraine updated its tally of damaged Russian ships to four, previously mentioning two, targeting Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. The strikes included two large landing ships, a spy ship, and another large landing ship, with a homemade Neptune missile used in the attack. The UK reported 25% of Russia's Black Sea Fleet vessels sunk, damaged, or destroyed, despite Ukraine's limited naval capabilities. Russia's fleet is said to be functionally inactive due to Ukraine's attacks with missiles, drones, and commando raids at Sevastopol.
Russia has launched its largest attacks on Ukraine since October, with missiles targeting Ukrainian power plants. Ukraine successfully repelled a battalion-sized mechanised assault on its eastern front, showcasing its defence resilience. The attack included three dozen tanks and a dozen infantry fighting vehicles near Avdiivka. Despite initial success, later approaches saw significant losses. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed concerns over lack of US support, citing stalled military aid. Europe is aiding Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.
President Zelensky has signed a bill lowering Ukraine's military mobilisation age from 27 to 25 to bolster reserves in the face of heavy losses after two years of war with Russia. The move aims to call up more soldiers as volunteer numbers decrease, with Zelensky stating a need for 500,000 additional troops. Ukraine seeks to strengthen defensive fortifications in preparation for potential Russian offensives amidst challenges such as lack of air superiority and delays in Western aid deliveries. The bill signing comes amid warnings of Russia's possible spring or summer offensive plans.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas highlights the importance of considering all options, including sending ground troops to Ukraine, in closed-door discussions. Despite Macron's hint at the possibility, major EU countries like Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. have ruled out deployment. Kallas also comments on the NATO leadership selection, expressing interest but acknowledging the likelihood of Dutch PM Mark Rutte securing the role. Concerns arise with the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House and his stance on NATO. Macron's remarks on Western troop deployment in Ukraine spark mixed reactions, with various leaders rejecting the idea.
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing international conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2014. Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas war. The first eight years of conflict also included naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and heightened political tensions. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and began occupying more of the country.In early 2014, the Euromaidan protests led to the Revolution of Dignity and the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Shortly after, pro-Russian unrest erupted in eastern and southern Ukraine, while unmarked Russian troops occupied Crimea. Russia soon annexed Crimea after a highly disputed referendum. In April 2014, Russian-backed militants seized towns in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) as independent states, starting the Donbas war. The separatists received considerable but covert support from Russia, and Ukrainian attempts to fully retake separatist-held areas failed. Although Russia denied involvement, Russian troops took part in the fighting. In February 2015, Russia and Ukraine signed the Minsk II agreements to end the conflict, but they were never fully implemented in the years that followed. The Donbas war settled into a violent but static conflict between Ukraine and the Russian and separatist forces, with many brief ceasefires but no lasting peace and few changes in territorial control.Beginning in 2021, Russia built up a large military presence near its border with Ukraine, including within neighbouring Belarus. Russian officials repeatedly denied plans to attack Ukraine. Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed irredentist views and denied Ukraine's right to exist. He criticized the enlargement of NATO and demanded that Ukraine be barred from ever joining the military alliance. Russia recognized the DPR and LPR as independent states. On 24 February 2022, Putin announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, claiming Russia had no plans to occupy the country. The Russian invasion that followed was internationally condemned; many countries imposed sanctions against Russia and increased existing sanctions. In the face of fierce resistance, Russia abandoned an attempt to take Kyiv in early April. From August, Ukrainian forces began recapturing territories in the north-east and south. In late September, Russia declared the annexation of four partially-occupied regions, which was internationally condemned. Russia spent the winter conducting inconclusive offensives in the Donbas. In spring 2023, Russia dug into positions ahead of another Ukrainian counteroffensive, which failed to gain significant ground. The war has resulted in a refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths.
A senior Ukrainian military official expressed that the American-made F-16 fighter jets arriving in Ukraine this summer are no longer relevant to the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the need for 'shells and rockets' in 2024. The Ukrainian Air Force is set to receive the F-16 jets in July, but the high-ranking officer stressed the urgency for traditional weapons like howitzers and shells. The Ukrainian government is facing severe shortages of ammunition, hindering their ability to combat Russian forces effectively.
Iran, Russia, and China are set to begin joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman under the 'Marine Security Belt 2024' initiative, aimed at enhancing security, trade, and cooperation. The drill, the fourth since 2019, focuses on combatting piracy, terrorism, and supporting humanitarian activities. This move by Iran comes in response to heightened tensions with the United States, as military cooperation with Russia and China increases. Meanwhile, NATO's 'Steadfast Defender' war games involving 20,000 troops, including Swedish forces, are underway in Norway and Finland, simulating a response to potential conflicts with Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk raised concerns about the possibility of war escalating in Europe, urging European nations to increase their defense investments. Tusk highlighted Russia's intensified airstrikes on Ukraine, including breaching Polish airspace, and called for urgent assistance for Ukraine's defense. He criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for unsubstantiated claims linking Ukraine to a terrorist attack and emphasized the critical nature of the current situation, describing it as the most precarious moment since the end of World War II.
Estonia foiled a Russian-directed influence operation on its soil involving attacks on officials and monuments. 10 individuals, both Russian and Estonian nationals, were arrested. The operation aimed to influence democratic decision-making and sow fear. Estonia made the events public to raise awareness and counter the effects. The FSB, Russia's security service, was identified as responsible. The country, a NATO ally, previously faced a hybrid attack from Russia in 2007. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the government disclosed the operation to mitigate its impact.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014. The invasion became the largest attack on a European country since World War II. It is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands of military casualties. By June 2022, Russian troops occupied about 20% of Ukrainian territory. From a population of 41 million in January 2022, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Extensive environmental damage caused by the war, widely described as an ecocide, contributed to food crises worldwide.Before the invasion, Russian troops massed near Ukraine's borders as Russian officials denied any plans to attack. Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" to support the Russian-backed breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, whose paramilitary forces had been fighting Ukraine in the Donbas conflict since 2014. Putin espoused irredentist views challenging Ukraine's right to exist, and falsely claimed that Ukraine was governed by neo-Nazis persecuting the Russian minority. He said his goal was to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine. Russian air strikes and a ground invasion were launched at a northern front from Belarus towards Kyiv, a southern front from Crimea, and an eastern front from the Donbas and towards Kharkiv. Ukraine enacted martial law, ordered a general mobilization and severed diplomatic relations with Russia.Russian troops retreated from the northern front by April 2022 after encountering logistical challenges and stiff Ukrainian resistance. On the southern and southeastern fronts, Russia captured Kherson in March and Mariupol in May after a destructive siege. Russia launched a renewed offensive in the Donbas and continued to bomb military and civilian targets far from the front line, including the energy grid through the winter. In late 2022, Ukraine launched successful counteroffensives in the south and east. Soon after, Russia announced the illegal annexation of four partly occupied regions. In November, Ukraine retook parts of Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson itself. In June 2023, Ukraine launched another counteroffensive in the southeast.The invasion was met with international condemnation. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the invasion and demanding a full Russian withdrawal in March 2022. The International Court of Justice ordered Russia to suspend military operations and the Council of Europe expelled Russia. Many countries imposed sanctions on Russia and its ally Belarus, and provided humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. The Baltic states all declared Russia a terrorist state. Protests occurred around the world, along with mass arrests of anti-war protesters in Russia, which also enacted a law enabling greater media censorship. Over 1,000 companies closed their operations in Russia and Belarus as a result of the invasion. The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened investigations into possible crimes against humanity, war crimes, abduction of children, and genocide. The court issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023, alleging responsibility for the unlawful deportation of children.
Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, have killed at least four people and injured 12. The strikes targeted residential buildings, cutting off power to around 350,000 residents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as despicable and cynical. Three rescue workers were among the casualties, with 11 of 20 drones used in the strikes being shot down by Ukrainian forces. Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, has been frequently targeted during the ongoing conflict that started in February 2022.
Vladimir Putin has called up 150,000 men for Russian army conscription, the highest figure in almost a decade, with recruits aged 18 to 30 to be conscripted between April and July for the conflict against Ukraine. Russia promised these conscripts would not be sent to the frontlines, but previous vows have been broken, potentially sending them to border regions. Putin is expected to demand a military offensive, taking advantage of Ukraine's weapon shortage. The decree also reveals plans for potential hybrid attacks on NATO and escalated nuclear threats against NATO allies supplying Ukraine with F-16 jets.
Ranks and insignia of NATO affiliated nations are combined military insignia used by the member countries (and other affiliated nations) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The rank scale is used for specifying posts within NATO.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has officially announced his candidacy to become the next Secretary General of NATO, highlighting Romania's proximity to Ukraine and the threat from Russia. Iohannis emphasized the importance of strengthening NATO's eastern flank and the need for a renewal of perspectives in the face of Russian aggression. The 65-year-old Iohannis, coming to the end of his second term as president, faces competition from outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the NATO leadership role, with Baltic states and other countries expressing varying levels of support for different candidates.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visits New Delhi to enhance bilateral relations with India, meeting with Indian officials and emphasizing peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. India refrains from criticizing Russia, advocates for diplomacy, and boosts engagements with Western powers while seeking to reduce dependency on Moscow for arms and technology. Ukraine encourages India to play a larger role in resolving the conflict and aims to strengthen trade partnerships in agriculture, aviation, and pharmaceuticals.
Ukraine ( yoo-KRAYN; Ukrainian: Україна, romanized: Ukraina, pronounced [ʊkrɐˈjinɐ] ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast. It also borders Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; and Romania and Moldova to the southwest; with a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast. Kyiv is the nation's capital and largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa. Ukraine's official language is Ukrainian; Russian is also widely spoken, especially in the east and south.During the Middle Ages, Ukraine was the site of early Slavic expansion and the area later became a key centre of East Slavic culture under the state of Kievan Rus', which emerged in the 9th century. The state eventually disintegrated into rival regional powers and was ultimately destroyed by the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. The area was then contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of external powers for the next 600 years, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Russia. The Cossack Hetmanate emerged in central Ukraine in the 17th century marked on maps as "Ukraine, land of the Cossacks", but was partitioned between Russia and Poland, and ultimately absorbed by the Russian Empire. Ukrainian nationalism developed and, following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed. The Bolsheviks consolidated control over much of the former empire and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union when it was formed in 1922. In the early 1930s, millions of Ukrainians died in the Holodomor, a human-made famine. The German occupation during World War II in Ukraine was devastating: 7 million Ukrainian civilians were killed, including most Ukrainian Jews.Ukraine gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved, and declared itself neutral. A new constitution was adopted in 1996. A series of mass demonstrations, known as the Euromaidan, led to the establishment of a new government in 2014 after a revolution. Russia then unilaterally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest culminated in a war in the Donbas between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine. Since the outbreak of war with Russia, Ukraine has continued to seek closer ties with the United States, European Union, and NATO. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Ukraine is a unitary state and its system of government is a semi-presidential republic. A developing country, it is the poorest country in Europe by nominal GDP per capita and corruption remains a significant issue. However, due to its extensive fertile land, pre-war Ukraine was one of the largest grain exporters in the world. It is a founding member of the United Nations, as well as a member of the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, and the OSCE. It is in the process of joining the European Union and has applied to join NATO.
Despite ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine's mens national soccer team qualifies for the European Championship, bringing pride and distraction to the nation. The team's success in the playoffs, including a win over Iceland, has uplifted Ukrainians who see it as a symbol of resilience and unity. Players express determination and inspiration, emphasizing the importance of sports in difficult times. The qualifying matches were played outside of Ukraine due to the war, but the victory has united the nation in anticipation of the upcoming tournament in Germany.
Latvia's Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins attends meetings in Washington and Brussels with key allies, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and France, to discuss Russia's aggression against Ukraine and Belarus, as well as the situation in the Middle East
The domain .nato was a top-level domain (TLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet. The domain was added in 1990 by the Network Information Center for use by NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, based on the rationale that none of the then-existing top-level domains adequately reflected its status as an international organization. Soon after this addition, however, Paul Mockapetris, the designer of the DNS, suggested to NATO representatives that nato.int would be a better choice. The TLD .int was created for the use of international organizations, and NATO switched to using nato.int. Without use, the TLD .nato was removed in July 1996.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed a plan to revamp the countrys military command to enhance war capabilities within NATO. This initiative follows increased military spending post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The overhaul aims to establish a single military command for quicker decisions, expand a cyber and information department, and meet NATO's 2% defense spending target,
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday told Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in rare telephone talks that France is ready to step up exchanges to battle "terrorism" after the deadly Moscow attack claimed by Islamic State. The pair also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Lecornu reaffirming French support for Ukraine's fight against Russia, the French defense ministry said. Such a high-level contact between a senior Russian official close to President Vladimir Putin and a top minister from a European power has been rare in the two years since Russia's invasion. The one-hour talks between Shoigu and Lecornu came as France steps up preparations to host the Olympic Games this year. The March 22 attack on a Moscow concert hall revived security fears for the Paris Games which begin on July 26.
Mykhailo Mudryk scored a late goal to secure Ukraine's victory over Iceland in the Euro 2024 qualifying playoff, with Viktor Tsyhankov also contributing a crucial goal. The match was played in Poland due to the war with Russia. Mudryk's heroics have made him a national hero, with Ukrainian fans celebrating the historic win. Ukraine will compete in Group E at Euro 2024. The victory holds significant emotional and symbolic importance for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) carried out an aerial bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The air strikes lasted from 24 March 1999 to 10 June 1999. The bombings continued until an agreement was reached that led to the withdrawal of the Yugoslav Army from Kosovo, and the establishment of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, a UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The official NATO operation code name was Operation Allied Force (Serbian: Савезничка сила / Saveznička sila) whereas the United States called it Operation Noble Anvil (Serbian: Племенити наковањ / Plemeniti nakovanj); in Yugoslavia the operation was incorrectly called Merciful Angel (Serbian: Милосрдни анђео / Milosrdni anđeo), possibly as a result of a misunderstanding or mistranslation.NATO's intervention was prompted by Yugoslavia's bloodshed and ethnic cleansing of Albanians, which drove the Albanians into neighbouring countries and had the potential to destabilize the region. Yugoslavia's actions had already provoked condemnation by international organisations and agencies such as the UN, NATO, and various INGOs. Yugoslavia's refusal to sign the Rambouillet Accords was initially offered as justification for NATO's use of force. NATO countries attempted to gain authorisation from the UN Security Council for military action, but were opposed by China and Russia, who indicated that they would veto such a measure. As a result, NATO launched its campaign without the UN's approval, stating that it was a humanitarian intervention. The UN Charter prohibits the use of force except in the case of a decision by the Security Council under Chapter VII, or self-defence against an armed attack – neither of which were present in this case.By the end of the war, the Yugoslavs had killed 1,500 to 2,131 combatants. 10,317 civilians were killed or missing, with 85% of those being Kosovar Albanian and some 848,000 were expelled from Kosovo. The NATO bombing killed about 1,000 members of the Yugoslav security forces in addition to between 489 and 528 civilians. It destroyed or damaged bridges, industrial plants, hospitals, schools, cultural monuments, and private businesses, as well as barracks and military installations. In the days after the Yugoslav army withdrew, over 164,000 Serbs and 24,000 Roma left Kosovo. Many of the remaining non-Albanian civilians (as well as Albanians perceived as collaborators) were victims of abuse which included beatings, abductions, and murders. After Kosovo and other Yugoslav Wars, Serbia became home to the highest number of refugees and IDPs (including Kosovo Serbs) in Europe.The bombing was NATO's second major combat operation, following the 1995 bombing campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the first time that NATO had used military force without the expressed endorsement of the UN Security Council and thus, international legal approval, which triggered debates over the legitimacy of the intervention.
The 7.62×51mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 7.62 NATO) is a rimless, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. It is a standard for small arms among NATO countries.First developed in the 1950s, the cartridge had first been introduced in U.S. service for the M14 rifle and M60 machine gun. The later adoption of the 5.56×45mm NATO intermediate cartridge and assault rifles as standard infantry weapon systems by NATO militaries started a trend to phase out the 7.62×51mm NATO in that role.Many other firearms that use the 7.62×51mm NATO fully powered cartridge remain in service today, especially various designated marksman rifles/sniper rifles and medium machine guns/general-purpose machine guns (i.e. M24 Sniper Rifle and M240 Medium Machine Gun). The cartridge is also used on mounted and crew-served weapons that are mounted to vehicles, aircraft, and ships.
The Estonian Defence Forces (Estonian: Eesti Kaitsevägi) is the unified military force of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence Forces consists of the Estonian Land Forces, the Estonian Navy, the Estonian Air Force, and the paramilitary Estonian Defence League. The national defence policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state, the integrity of its land area, territorial waters, airspace and its constitutional order. Its main goals remain the development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation's vital interests and development of the defence forces in a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of NATO and European Union member states to participate in the full range of missions for these military alliances.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have agreed to construct hundreds of bunkers on their borders with Russia and Belarus to deter potential aggression and defend against military attacks. The Baltic countries will develop a common defense zone and anti-mobility defensive installations, with Estonia planning to build 600 bunkers along its 294-kilometer border with Russia. The construction is estimated to cost 60 million euros and is expected to begin in early 2025. Amid warnings of a possible Russian attack, the move is seen as a response to growing security concerns in the region.
European Council President Charles Michel visited Romania to meet with EU country leaders to discuss the bloc's strategic agenda for the next five years, focusing on security, defense, economic stability, prosperity, enlargement, and democratic values. The EU plans to expedite financial aid to Egypt bypassing usual safeguards. They aim to address challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate and energy crises, and Russia's war in Ukraine. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis highlighted additional EU challenges including the energy crisis, climate change, illegal migration, and the war in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed planned peace talks on Ukraine as a Western ploy to rally international support for Kyiv, emphasizing that negotiations must consider Moscow's interests. Lavrov criticized the West's efforts to attract Global South countries to discussions in Switzerland, denouncing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's peace formula. He praised China's past peace plan for addressing root causes of the conflict. Moscow insists on respecting its territorial gains and security interests in any prospective peace deal.
Russian authorities have arrested a suspected financier of the deadly concert hall attack at Crocus City Hall, claiming that Ukraine paid large amounts to the perpetrators. A total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the attack, which killed at least 143 people. The Islamic State's affiliate ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, while Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, suggested Ukraine's involvement without concrete evidence. Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed these accusations as propaganda.
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By LORNE COOK
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