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The war in Ukraine dominates as usual when the defense ministers of the NATO countries gather in Brussels. But this weekend’s bloody attack on Israel also takes place.
– Terrorism can never be justified, says US Ambassador Julianne Smith.
At a digital press conference before the two-day meeting, Smith repeats the support for Israel that President Joe Biden has already expressed after the Hamas attacks last Saturday.
– The United States has made it clear to Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu that we are ready to offer all appropriate help to the government and people of Israel, says Smith, who expects that “all” NATO members want to talk about what happened.
The aircraft carrier Gerald Ford has been sent to the eastern part of the Mediterranean and “more steps” are being considered on the US side. At the same time, Smith dismisses the idea that the attacks on Israel would make the US less interested in helping Ukraine.
– The United States will continue to be able to be focused on our partnership and our commitments to Israel’s security while we live up to our commitment and our promises to support Ukraine, promises Smith.
Support in stereo
The ambassador recently accompanied his colleagues on a trip to Washington to meet with representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties. The main purpose: to prove that the US will not waver in its support for Ukraine, regardless of budget disputes and election campaigns.
– The message that was delivered clearly is that the US will support Ukraine as long as it takes. I think it was useful for the member states to hear it, in stereo and with surround sound, says Smith.
Hope for Sweden
Before the NATO meeting, she also reiterates her support for Swedish membership in NATO and that the US expects that the two countries that have not yet said yes will do so “sooner, rather than later”.
– We have worked closely with our friends in Turkey and Hungary to make sure they understand how urgent it is, says Julianne Smith.
FACTS This week’s NATO meeting
Here is the program for this week’s meeting of defense ministers in NATO:
Wednesday:
At 10: Meeting within the contact group for the defense of Ukraine (Ramstein group).
4 pm: Meeting of the newly formed NATO-Ukraine Council.
At 18.30: Press conference with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Thursday:
At 8: Ordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
At 11: Meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of the EU’s foreign affairs agency, EEAS.
At 2.15 pm: Final press conference with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Sweden participates, through Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M), as a prospective member in all meetings.
Source: NATO.
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