NATO to bolster defense amid concerns over Russia

By Ayhan Simsek

WARSAW

Leaders of 28 NATO member states have decided to bolster collective defense amid concerns over Russia and threats by non-state actors.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg sharply criticized Russia for what he called continuing “destabilization” activities in Eastern Europe since its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

“We do not and we will not recognize Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea,” he said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, on the second and final day of the Warsaw Summit Saturday.

“We call on Moscow to end its political, military and financial support for separatists,” he added.

NATO promised its partner Ukraine, a “comprehensive assistant package” to support reform and strengthen its defense and security structures.

The alliance also officially announced plans to deploy hundreds of troops in NATO member states Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, to address their concerns over a more assertive Russia.

In a 39-page communique issued at the end of the summit, the leaders called on Russia to stop its alleged destabilizing actions and policies in Eastern Europe and Black Sea region.

“Russia’s military intervention, significant military presence and support for the regime in Syria, and its use of its military presence in the Black Sea to project power into the Eastern Mediterranean have posed further risks and challenges for the security of allies and others,” they warned.

The leaders emphasized the 28-member bloc is not seeking any confrontation with Russia, and will continue to be transparent and predictable in their military measures.

The Warsaw Summit approved plans to station four multinational battalions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland on a rotational basis.

Defending cyberspace

NATO leaders have also decided to take new measures to address growing threats in the cyberspace, by defining it as “a domain of operations” along with other domains of air, land and sea, which NATO forces must defend.

“Cyber defense will continue to be integrated into operational planning and alliance operations, and missions,” the joint declaration of the leaders said.

Hybrid warfare

The leaders also announced that in case of hybrid warfare campaign, NATO allies can invoke in future, NATO’s "Article 5" collective defense guarantee.

“NATO is prepared to assist an ally at any stage of a hybrid campaign,” they said in their joint statement.

“The alliance and allies will be prepared to counter hybrid warfare as part of collective defense. The council could decide to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. The Alliance is committed to effective cooperation and coordination with partners and relevant international organizations, in particular the EU, as agreed, in efforts to counter hybrid warfare.”

Eastern European leaders long accused Russia for employing hybrid warfare tactics to destabilize their countries, by cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns through social media or by using non-state actors, as well as paramilitary forces.