Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined the enduring significance of NATO at a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) hosted by the UK government on Thursday (18 July 2024), stating that the "transatlantic Alliance is the cornerstone for European security."
"The time to stand for freedom and democracy is now and the place is Ukraine" Mr Stoltenberg said, announcing that NATO's new command to coordinate and provide security assistance and training for Ukraine will become operational in September this year.
The Secretary General also condemned "a pattern of Russian hostile actions against NATO Allies" including cyber-attacks, sabotage and disinformation campaigns. Allies are responding by sharing more intelligence, stepping up the protection of critical infrastructure, and conducting national legal processes. Mr Stoltenberg made clear that the purpose of Russia's attacks is "to coerce us from providing support to Ukraine, but we will not be coerced."
The Secretary General was welcomed to the meeting at Blenheim Palace by the UK Prime Minister, Kier Starmer. The EPC brings around 50 European leaders together, mostly NATO Allies and partners, to discuss issues affecting European security, including defending democracy, energy and cyber security, instrumentalised migration and Russia's war against Ukraine.
