NATO now calls Russia a “partner” in a concept adopted 12 years ago. But in the summer this wording will change.
Finland will apply to join the defense alliance, and Sweden will probably announce a similar move later on Sunday. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Saturday told Finnish President that NATO membership < span style = "font-weight: 400;"> would be a “mistake”.
NATO's so-called strategic concept sets the Alliance's priorities for the coming years. The document is due to be finally adopted at the Madrid summit in late June. The current concept from 2010 calls Russia a “partner”, but this time this wording will be excluded, writes Bloobmebg .
NATO Allies are also expected to consider how best to support neighboring countries vulnerable to aggression, said the NATO speaker.
Allies are likely to leave open the possibility of resuming relations if Moscow's behavior changes, NATO said, noting that the document would also raise the issue of China and its relations with Russia.
NATO officials gather for talks in Berlin. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, Russia probably lost a third of its forces sent to Ukraine in February, and the Russian offensive in Donbass stopped.
Read also: Sweden to apply for NATO membership on May 17 – Media
Earlier it was reported that resident Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey could veto Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO . He also said his predecessors “made mistakes” by giving the green light to Greece's accession to NATO 70 years ago. Turkey wants talks with countries.
Russia has already threatened Sweden and Finland with “consequences” if it joins NATO. Moscow is reacting nervously to such a prospect of Alliance enlargement. But will Russia open a “second front” in the Baltic Sea? About this – in the article Alina Gritsenko “Sweden on the way to NATO: what will Russia respond?”.
See the special topic: The occupiers carried out 11 artillery attacks on Severodonetsk: 9 people were wounded Russian troops fired on the city hospital. Russia's military offensive in Ukraine is weakening – NATO Deputy Secretary General NATO believes in Ukraine's victory. NATO countries must provide Ukraine with a new offensive weapon – Trass The British Foreign Secretary said that Ukraine feels the urgent need for new artillery. General of Australia: Armed Forces won the battle for Kharkiv, what's next? The former military man points to a window of opportunity that will allow the Ukrainian army to defeat the Russian occupiers before they will move to defensive positions. The occupiers fired on 11 settlements in the Donetsk region during the day: there are casualties Russian troops fired on civilians with small arms, aircraft, tanks, heavy artillery and mortars.
