Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – NATO defence chiefs prepared to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine, advancing efforts in global diplomacy to resolve Russia’s war.
Reports indicate that the virtual meeting of military chiefs from NATO’s 32 member countries is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm (1230 GMT). The meeting included 32 defense ministers from NATO member countries and focused on exploring potential future security arrangements that could facilitate a peace settlement in Ukraine.
Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, announced that 32 defense chiefs from the alliance will participate in a video conference as part of a diplomatic effort led by the U.S. to bring the conflict to an end. U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, will take part in the talks, Dragone said.
What hurdles stand in the way of a peace deal?
Last Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. On Monday, he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and prominent European leaders at the White House. Neither meeting resulted in concrete progress.
Trump is attempting to guide Putin and Zelenskyy toward a settlement over three years after Russia’s invasion, but significant hurdles remain. These include Ukraine’s requests for Western-backed military guarantees to prevent Russia from launching another invasion in the future.
How is NATO supporting Ukraine’s defense against russian attacks?
NATO serves a significant role in Ukraine’s security through a number of functions. NATO coordinates the delivery of direct substantive military assistance to Ukraine from NATO allies. Germany and Western allies are providing air defense models, stockpiles of ammunition, anti-tank weaponry, and spare parts through a newly minted, NATO-directed supply chain to assist Ukraine in fending off the ongoing barrage of Russian missiles and drones.
When did NATO defence chiefs last met?
The last significant in-person NATO defense chiefs meeting occurred at the 2025 NATO summit – which was attended by heads of state and government from all 32 NATO member countries – from June 24–25, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands to address a number of significant topics, including increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP; reaffirming commitment to collective defense; maintaining support for Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
