NATO update

24 February 2023 Update

NATO Secretary General in Tallinn to mark Estonian Independence Day NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg joined the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, other senior Estonian officials, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tallinn on 24 February 2023, to mark Estonian Independence Day. READ MORE

Statement by the North Atlantic Council marking one year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine As we solemnly mark one year of Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades, we as Allies reaffirm our solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine in the heroic defence of their nation, their land, and our shared values. READ MORE NATO Secretary General sends a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, delivered a message of solidarity to the Ukrainian people on 24 February 2023 one year since Russia launched its illegal full-fledged invasion of Ukraine. WATCH VIDEO Ceremony at NATO Headquarters marks one-year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine Speaking at NATO Headquarters on 24 February 2023 Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană said that NATO has been Ukraine’s partner since it first gained independence over thirty years ago and that NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. READ MORE NATO Secretary General thanks US and B9 leaders for their strong support for NATO and Ukraine NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on 22 February 2023 thanked US President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Bucharest 9 (B9) countries for their strong support for Ukraine and commitment to NATO collective defence. READ MORE Earthquake relief: NATO Allies and partners airlift tents to Türkiye A C-17 heavy cargo aircraft on 21 February 2023 arrived at Incirlik airport in Türkiye carrying 500 tents for hundreds of people displaced by the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February. READ MORE Earthquake relief: NATO temporary housing containers depart for Türkiye A merchant vessel carrying the first 600 of over 1,000 containers of NATO temporary housing for Türkiye left the port of Taranto on 19 February 2023. READ MORE NATO Secretary General welcomes Ukraine Foreign Minister Kuleba and EU High Representative Borrell to NATO Headquarters NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and EU High Representative Josep Borrell to NATO Headquarters on 21 February 2023. READ MORE NATO Deputy Secretary General meets Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister, stresses continued Alliance support NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană reaffirmed the Atlantic Alliance’s steadfast support to Ukraine, during his meeting with the country’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko on 22 February 2023  at NATO Headquarters. READ MORE Secretary General welcomes NATO Parliamentary Assembly President to NATO Headquarters NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) President Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam at NATO Headquarters on 20 February 2023 to discuss the work of the NPA and ways to continue the successful cooperation between the two organizations. READ MORE Chair of the NATO Military Committee visits Slovenia From 20 to 21 February 2023, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer visited Slovenia upon the invitation of the Chief of the Slovenian General Staff, Major General Robert Glavaš. READ MORE NATO International Military Staff marks 56th anniversary On 23rd February 2023, the NATO International Military Staff gathered to mark its 56th Anniversary. READ MORE NATO stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes When Russia launched its brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, NATO Allies stood firm behind Ukraine. One year later, our support is stronger than ever, with Allied aid contributing to battlefield successes across Ukraine. WATCH VIDEO THIS WEEK IN PICTURES

NATO Secretary General visits Estonia to mark Independence Day NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joined the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, other senior Estonian officials, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tallinn today, Friday (24 February 2023), to mark Estonian Independence Day. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Kallas and President von der Leyen, the Secretary General said “Over a hundred years ago, Estonian troops fought bravely for their freedom and independence. Your history is a strong reminder that we cannot take freedom for granted. Today, it is the Ukrainian people who are bravely fighting for their freedom. And despite a dark year of despair and destruction, their determination and courage will no doubt prevail.”  Click here to download the joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.  Click here for the webstory, the transcript of the joint press point as well as photos.  NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes When Russia launched its brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, NATO Allies stood firm behind Ukraine. One year later, our support is stronger than ever, with Allied aid contributing to battlefield successes across Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, delivered a message of solidarity to the Ukrainian people today, Friday (24 February 2023). In a message recorded to broadcast on Ukrainian television, the Secretary General said, "NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." Click here to download the Secretary General's video message. Click here to download the video on NATO's support to Ukraine. You can also watch the video on YouTube. Cold Weather Operations Training 2023 Cold, snowy environments can be unforgiving, but for Allied armies, the task of collective defence means being ready to operate in any climate. That is why the NATO Centre of Excellence (COE) - Cold Weather Operations teaches Allied troops how to survive and thrive in the snowy woods. In February, the COE held a Cold Weather Survival Instructor Course near its headquarters in Rena, Norway. These courses focus on building an experienced cadre of cold-weather survivalists, who can then bring their experience back to their armies and teach others. The students learn how to survive the harsh Norwegian weather in mountainous terrain without the luxury of a sleeping bag, or even a tent. The course answers an increased demand for winter survival skill sharing in the high north from Allied nations. Footage includes shots of multinational soldiers during the course, as well as interviews with COE staff. Click here to download the b-roll. NATO Allies and partners airlift tents to Türkiye A C-17 heavy cargo aircraft arrived at Incirlik airport in Türkiye on Tuesday (21 February 2023) carrying 500 tents for hundreds of people displaced by the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February. Several NATO Allies and partners have offered to support NATO-coordinated flights to carry aid from Pakistan to Türkiye. Tuesday’s flight was chartered by Sweden as part of the NATO-supported Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC). Since 7 February 2023, the SAC, which provides airlift flight hours for 12 NATO Allies and partners, has flown eight missions to transport 279 tonnes of urgent supplies to Türkiye, including on behalf of Finland, the Netherlands, Romania, and the United States. Click here to download the b-roll. Footage includes a C-17 heavy cargo aircraft arriving at Incirlik airport in Türkiye and military personnel unloading 500 tents. Click here to read the webstory. NATO Secretary General thanks US and B9 leaders for their strong support for NATO and Ukraine NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today (22 February 2023) thanked US President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Bucharest 9 (B9) countries for their strong support for Ukraine and commitment to NATO collective defence. Mr. Stoltenberg was speaking at a meeting of the B9 NATO Allies (Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia) in Warsaw, co-hosted by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová. Click here to download the opening remarks by the NATO Secretary General, as well as footage of his arrival at the B9 Summit.  Click here to read the webstory including the transcript of his opening remarks as well as photos of the event.  NATO Secretary General welcomes Ukraine Foreign Minister and EU High Representative to NATO Headquarters NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and EU High Representative Josep Borrell to NATO Headquarters today (21 February 2023). Mr Stoltenberg said, “President Putin thought he could destroy Ukraine and divide us, but he underestimated the determination of the Ukrainian people to defend their homeland and he underestimated our unity.” Click here to download the joint press point by the NATO Secretary General, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister and the EU High Representative as well as footage of their meeting.  Click here to read the webstory and the transcript of the joint press point as well as photos of their meeting.