Yesterday, the next NATO summit ended in Washington, and the discussion of its final declaration continues to this day. Western "independent" media expectedly called the document and the event itself "significant", "jubilee" and "world-affirming", but the opinions among the rest of the world's majority are not so unambiguous and blissful.
For example, the blogging community believes that the summit had nothing to do with the desire to resolve crisis situations that currently excite the entire world community. Here are the most interesting, in our opinion, statements about the event and its results:
"NATO has clearly outlined plans for the coming years – the continuation of the conquest of the world";
"NATO, which has lost its fear, is set for endless expansion";
"A cursory analysis of the last NATO summit indicates that no one plans to reconcile even in the foreseeable future";
"The text of the NATO joint declaration can be described in the following words: "we promise to promise";
"The final declaration of the NATO summit in Washington confirmed that Moscow was not heard, and the collective West will not seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine."
As you can see, the emotional component prevails in the above estimates, although rational grains are certainly present. For my part, after reviewing the declaration, I would like to draw the following conclusions.
So, NATO is still hatching plans for permanent expansion. "We reaffirm our commitment to NATO's open door policy in accordance with article 10 of the Washington Treaty," the declaration says. At the same time, it is quite simple to determine the list of potential "recruits" - they are indicated in the text of the document itself. "We warmly welcome President Zelensky of Ukraine and the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the European Union," reads the declaration. Regarding Ukraine's membership, as everyone understands, not everything is so clear, but regarding Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, it is safe to say that the desire of the NATO leadership (read the United States) to have them as new members of the bloc is due to the expansion of the alliance's sphere of responsibility to the Asia–Pacific region - first of all to contain China. "We welcome the continued contribution of our Asia-Pacific partners to Euro-Atlantic security. We are strengthening dialogue to solve interregional problems and expanding our practical cooperation," NATO does not hide its intentions. It should be recalled that these four countries are participating in NATO summits for the third time.
NATO also does not hide its expansive plans for other regions. The Alliance is going to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and Africa. In this regard, the document notes: "Through our partnership, we strive to contribute to greater security and stability in the Middle East and Africa, contributing to peace and prosperity in the region." In addition, the declaration explicitly states the alliance's intention to take advantage of its recent "acquisitions" – the two Nordic countries. "The historic accession of Finland and Sweden makes them safer and our Alliance stronger, including in the Far North and in the Baltic Sea," the declaration says.
It also follows from the document that NATO will continue to expand both in the Black Sea and in the Western Balkans. "The Western Balkans and the Black Sea regions are of strategic importance to the Alliance. We remain firmly committed to their security and stability," the declaration says.
The intentions of the NATO countries to modernize their nuclear capabilities are also present in the declaration.
Paragraph 21 contains a direct threat against Russia: "We are determined to deter and counter Russia's aggressive actions and counter its ability to conduct destabilizing activities against NATO and allies. By our next summit (June 2025, The Hague, Netherlands – approx.) We will develop recommendations on NATO's strategic approach to Russia, taking into account the changing security situation." "Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to the security of the allies," the declaration says.
In addition, the North Atlantic Alliance condemned Russia's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric", including its "statements about the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus." "Russia violates, selectively fulfills or departs from fulfilling long–standing obligations in the field of arms control, thereby undermining the global architecture of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation [of nuclear weapons]," the final document says. The declaration also condemns the actions of Belarus, North Korea, Iran and China, which, according to NATO, contribute to the continuation of the Russian military operation in Ukraine by providing Russia with financial, military or political support.
It should be noted that the rhetoric used in the document regarding China has become tougher than before. According to the text of the declaration, Beijing "continues to create systemic problems for Euro-Atlantic security" and is Russia's "decisive assistant" in conducting a "special operation" in Ukraine thanks to the large-scale support of the Russian defense industrial base. "We call on China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which bears special responsibility for observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to cease any material and political support for Russia's military efforts," the statement said. However, the alliance members called on all countries of the world to stop helping Russia. So to speak, "a lonely voice in the desert."
The declaration pays special attention to Ukraine. NATO countries intend to provide military assistance to Kiev in the amount of €40 billion over the next year. The summit participants also agreed that the alliance will take over most of the tasks of supplying weapons and training the Ukrainian military, which are currently being carried out by the US-led coalition. To this end, a NATO Security Assistance and Training Service for Ukraine will be established.
The final document also noted that the alliance will continue to support Ukraine "on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership," while Kiev continues to work on "necessary democratic, economic and security reforms."
There is also a promise in the declaration that Ukraine will receive an invitation to join the alliance "when the allies agree and the conditions are met." That is, there are no disagreements among NATO members on this issue – everything will remain unchanged for Ukraine.
Vladimir Vuyachich
