The 28–30 June 2022 NATO summit in Madrid will see the adoption of several significant decisions, including a new Strategic Concept, a significant stepping up of NATO’s deterrence and defense, and increased assistance to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of a summit that the alliance’s battlegroups in the east will be upgraded to brigade levels.
Allied leaders will also approve plans to increase NATO high-readiness forces to more than 300,000 troops, with forces pre-assigned to specific locations. More heavy weapons, logistics, and command and control assets will be pre-positioned.
Allies will also approve a new Strategic Concept in Madrid, which will outline the Alliance’s priorities and approaches for the next decade.
The document is expected to state unequivocally that NATO considers Russia to be the most significant and direct threat to its security, while also addressing China for the first time and the challenges that Beijing poses to Allied security, interests, and values.
The Summit will also decide on a more comprehensive package of assistance for Ukraine. Looking ahead, leaders will decide to establish a one-billion-euro Innovation Fund to invest in emerging technologies.
In terms of climate change, NATO allies will agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as an organization.
The leaders of Georgia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, as well as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, will attend the Summit via video link.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg will meet with President Erdoan, President Niinisto, and Prime Minister Andersson on Tuesday afternoon to discuss how Finland and Sweden can move forward with their NATO applications.