IRIA News

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NATO Defense Ministers convened for a two-day meeting in Brussels to discuss various global security issues, ranging from the war in Ukraine to increasing cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners.

The recent meeting marked the first time Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea joined the talks alongside NATO member countries, reflecting a growing recognition of shared security concerns between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted the significance of this expanded format. “This is a clear sign of our deepening cooperation in the face of shared challenges,” Rutte said, underscoring the critical need for joint efforts to address cyber threats, defense production, counter disinformation, and the development of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

NATO-Japan security cooperation

Japan’s Defense Minister Nakatani Gen and his NATO counterparts agreed to deepen cooperation on security, recognizing that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is closely linked.

Nakatani participated in a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels on October 17, alongside defense chiefs from Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand, marking the first time representatives from these Indo-Pacific nations attended.

Today, #Australia 🇦🇺, #Japan 🇯🇵, #NewZealand 🇳🇿 & #SouthKorea 🇰🇷 joined us for the first time for a #NATO Defence Ministerial.

A clear sign of our deepening cooperation. In a more interconnected world, it is vital that we tackle our shared security challenges together. pic.twitter.com/TQfu4MLv0M

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) October 17, 2024

During the meeting, Nakatani highlighted the growing threats posed by unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, citing recent airspace intrusions by Chinese and Russian military aircraft. He expressed concerns about Russia’s expanding military cooperation with China and North Korea, warning that it could worsen the conflict in Ukraine.

Nakatani called for continued assistance to Ukraine and stressed the importance of solidarity among like-minded nations. Before the meeting, Nakatani met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, reaffirming Japan’s support and outlining plans to provide additional Self-Defense Force vehicles to aid Ukraine’s defense efforts.

Support for Ukraine

A key focus of the meeting was the Russia-Ukraine war. NATO partners reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Kyiv in its struggle against Russian attack. Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing support Ukraine is receiving from the alliance.

Zelenskyy later addressed the NATO-Ukraine Council, emphasizing Ukraine’s urgent needs in the face of Russia’s sustained military pressure. Zelenskyy praised NATO’s steadfast support and stressed that Ukraine’s fight is far from over.

The NATO secretary general also provided a financial update, affirming that NATO allies are on track to meet their collective pledge of 40 billion euros in security assistance to Ukraine, with over half of that already delivered.

“The men and women serving there are already hard at work to ensure that we deliver for Ukraine – so that you can prevail,” Rutte said, referencing NATO’s new command center in Wiesbaden, Germany, which coordinates assistance and training for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also acknowledged the progress made through diplomatic efforts, securing support from France, Lithuania, and the Nordic countries for Ukraine’s Victory Plan. The plan outlines Ukraine’s strategy for defeating Russia and restoring its territorial integrity. Zelenskyy also mentioned the U.S.’s positive signals, including an upcoming visit from a team from Washington to discuss further support.

U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s defense

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed NATO’s long-term commitment to Ukraine at a press conference following the meeting. “Like countries of goodwill around the world, our NATO allies continue to stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-defense,” Austin said.

The U.S. defense secretary stressed that the alliance remains resolute in supporting Ukraine both in the immediate and long-term future. Austin outlined two primary objectives: ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to succeed on the battlefield today and providing the country with the resources to deter and defend against future threats.

“We’re focused on providing Ukraine what it needs to be successful on [the] battlefield today,” Austin said, noting that Ukraine has successfully held off the Russian military, which is Europe’s largest.

Austin also highlighted the various coalitions formed to support Ukraine, including those focused on air defense, artillery, and information technology. These coalitions aim to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself moving forward. “I have to applaud the work of our allies and partners… digging deep to provide Ukraine with what we think they’ll need going forward,” Austin added.

NATO’s strategic initiatives

NATO also announced the launch of five new High Visibility Projects designed to enhance its deterrence capabilities and improve interoperability among member states. The initiatives involve 26 NATO Allies and cover areas such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), artillery munitions, and multinational synthetic training environments.

RPAS systems, like NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS), will be developed through multinational cooperation, with 13 countries contributing to the project. These fleets play a crucial role in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electromagnetic warfare, bolstering NATO’s ability to respond to emerging threats.

Another significant project focuses on increasing the interoperability of artillery munitions across 15 nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This will ensure that allied forces can seamlessly work together during joint operations, which is critical in maintaining a unified defense posture.

Additionally, NATO is stepping up its efforts in space technologies with two new projects: NORTHLINK and STARLIFT. These initiatives involve 13 and 14 Allies, respectively, and aim to develop secure, resilient satellite communications and strengthen NATO’s ability to operate in space.

Growing international threats

One of the more pressing concerns discussed at the meeting was the increasing cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and the growing threat posed by Iranian-made drones used by Russia in Ukraine. Zelenskyy voiced strong warnings about these emerging alliances. “The Russians and Iranians continue to improve [the Shahid drones],” he said, referencing the attack drones that have become a key tool in Russia’s campaign of terror against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also expressed alarm over North Korea’s involvement in the conflict. “We have clear evidence that people are being supplied to Russia from North Korea,” he said, noting that this could include military personnel. The Ukrainian president called on NATO and its allies to take decisive action to counter these developments, warning that North Korea’s increasing involvement could prolong the war.