US President Joe Biden will attend the unprecedented one-day summits of NATO, the G7, and the EU. The hectic day of summitry to preserve Western unity will begin at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where leaders of the transatlantic defence alliance will agree to increase military forces on Europe’s eastern flank.
Concerned that Russia may escalate the conflict with its neighbour after a gruelling month-long conflict, NATO’s 30 nations will also agree to send Kyiv equipment to defend against biological, chemical, and nuclear attacks. An emergency meeting of the G7 advanced economies will underscore the G7 advanced economies’ determination to punish Moscow with massive sanctions.
Then, with a summit of the European Union’s 27 member states, countries representing more than half of the world’s GDP will have met in one day.
NATO allies and the European Union have already imposed harsh sanctions.
And many of our global partners have joined us. We must be prepared to do more. Even if it means paying a price because we’re in it for the long haul.
At the same time, Russians must understand that the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine will not make Russia safer. It will not increase Russia’s international standing. It will not make your children’s future brighter.
We have already strengthened our deterrence and defence in response to Russia’s massive military buildup in recent months.
NATO Allies activated our defence plans yesterday. As a result, elements of the NATO Response Force are being deployed. Thousands of additional troops have been deployed to the Alliance’s eastern flank by the United States, Canada, and European allies.
Over 100 jets are on high alert in over 30 different locations. And more than 120 ships from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. Three strike carrier groups are included.
There must be no room for error or misunderstanding. We will go to any length to protect and defend every ally. As well as every square inch of NATO territory.
