‘A HISTORIC AND TRANSFORMATIVE SUMMIT’: Leaders of the 30 NATO nations gathered in Madrid, Spain, are transforming the alliance to focus on the threat from Russia, preparing to add two new members on Russia’s periphery, expanding the deployment of forces on its eastern flank, and bolstering aid to Ukraine as it fights to regain territory lost since the Feb. 24 invasion.
“We meet in the midst of the most serious security crisis we have faced since the Second World War,” said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg as the session opened this morning. “This will be a historic and transformative summit where we will make decisions that will actually change this alliance for many years to come.”
WELCOME FINLAND AND SWEDEN: In a rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand that NATO halt its eastward expansion, an agreement signed yesterday by Turkey, Finland, and Sweden has paved the way for the two formerly neutral Nordic countries to join the alliance.
“That demonstrates that NATO’s door is open. It demonstrates that President Putin has not succeeded in closing NATO’s door,” said Stoltenberg as he welcomed President Joe Biden to the summit. “He’s getting the opposite of what he wants. He wants less NATO. President Putin is getting more NATO.”
Biden, who spoke by phone to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday and will meet with him one-on-one on the sidelines of the summit, said the expansion will “strengthen NATO’s collective security and benefit the entire trans-Atlantic alliance.”
“Putin was looking for the Finlandization of Europe. He’s going to get the NATOization of Europe,” Biden said in a brief appearance with Stoltenberg.
FINLAND, SWEDEN, AND TURKEY AGREE TO DEAL ON NATO ALLIANCE MEMBERSHIP
MORE AID FOR UKRAINE: Much of today’s agenda is centered on providing increased military assistance to Ukraine as its forces attempt to roll back some of Russia’s recent battlefield gains.
The leaders will hear from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a virtual address. In a speech to the U.N. Security Council yesterday, Zelenesky accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians and called for the world body to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Zelensky pointed to recent missile strikes on a shopping mall, a kindergarten, and a line of civilians getting water. ”If in any part of the world any organization killed any civilians just as Russia kills Ukrainians, it would definitely be recognized as terrorism,” he said. “We need to act immediately — and do everything to make Russia stop the killings of children, people — everyone. It must be brought to justice for terrorism.”
RUSSIAN MILITARY DENIES HITTING MALL IN STRIKE THAT KILLED NEARLY 20
MORE TROOPS, PLANES, SHIPS TO EUROPE: As part of NATO’s new strategic concept, the U.S. will substantially increase its force posture in Europe, including adding 5,000 rotational troops to Poland and Romania, two additional F-35 squadrons to the U.K., two additional destroyers to Spain, and additional air defenses in Germany and Italy.
“We are sending an unmistakable message that NATO is strong, united,” said Biden. “In our meetings today we are going to approve a new NATO strategic concept and reaffirm the unity of determination of our alliance to defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Biden announced that the U.S. will permanently station the U.S. Army V Corps forward command in Poland, which would be the first permanent basing of U.S. forces on NATO’s eastern flank.
NATO TO INCREASE HIGH-READINESS FORCE TO ‘WELL OVER 300,000′ TROOPS
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HAPPENING TODAY: President Joe Biden meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reward him, essentially, for dropping his objections to Finland and Sweden joining the alliance in time for them to be welcomed at this week’s summit.
Turkey made out quite well in the deal, getting everything it asked for as a condition for its approval, including assurances that the new members will reject the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) who has been conducting an insurgency against Ankara for years, along with its affiliated group in Syria, the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
In the agreement signed in Madrid yesterday, the Nordic countries also agreed to lift their arms embargo against Turkey and consider Turkey’s requests for extradition of terrorism suspects, including amending their laws on deportation when necessary.
“Finland and Sweden, of course, are ready to work with Türkiye on the pending deportations or extradition requests of terror suspected individuals,” said Stoltenberg, “but at the same time, this extradition process will take place in accordance with the European Convention on Extradition.”
“I think today also demonstrates that despite differences — and there will always be differences when we are 30 allies in the alliance and now soon 32 — that we are able to unite around our core task that is to protect and defend each other,” he said.
ONE MORE STEP: While Finland and Sweden are being invited to join the alliance today, they won’t become members until each of the 30 nations ratifies their applications.
“That always takes some time, but I expect also that to go rather quickly because allies are ready to try to make that ratification process happen as quickly as possible,” said Stoltenberg, who noted the speed of the process was “unprecedented.”
“I think we can hardly find any other accession process with so few weeks between the application that happened mid-May and the invitation that will happen now,” he said.
ALSO TODAY: Biden will meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, two countries that aren’t usually part of a NATO summit.
But NATO’s new strategic concept now includes references to addressing the challenges posed by China.
The last strategic concept, drafted in 2010, made no mention of China and referred to Russia as a “strategic partner.”
“I expect that allies will agree that China poses or is a challenge to our values, to our interests, and to our security,” said Stoltenberg. “China is not an adversary, but, of course, we need to take into account the consequences to our security when we see China investing heavily in new modern military capabilities, long-range missiles, nuclear weapons, and also trying to control critical infrastructure.”
DOD TO FIGHT ANY ATTEMPT TO FURTHER RESTRICT ABORTIONS FOR MILITARY: Federal law already restricts the Defense Department from performing or paying for abortions, with three exceptions: to protect the life of the mother or in the case of rape or incest.
In a memo released yesterday, Gilbert Cisneros, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said the department will continue to perform those covered abortions, consistent with federal law.
Friday’s Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade does not change that, Cisneros said. “There will be no interruption to this care.”
While some states have already, or may in the future, enact stricter laws, without exceptions for rape and incest, the Pentagon argues those restrictions would not apply to healthcare providers under its jurisdiction.
“It is the Department of Justice’s long-standing position that states generally may not impose criminal or civil liability on federal employees who perform their duties in a manner authorized by federal law,” the memo said. “We will work with the Department of Justice to ensure access to counsel for such civilian employees and Service members if needed and as appropriate.”
The Pentagon will continue to authorize active-duty members of the military to travel at government expense to get covered abortions or to take leave at their own expense to travel to where other abortion services are legal.
MILITARY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING ABORTIONS AFTER ROE REVERSAL
US ARMY EUROPE: At a change of command ceremony in Wiesbaden, Germany, Gen. Darryl Williams, the former superintendent at West Point, took over U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander from Gen. Christopher Cavoli.
Cavoli is replacing Gen. Tod Wolters as the U.S. European commander, and supreme allied commander Europe for NATO.
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The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Finland, Sweden, and Turkey agree to deal on NATO alliance membership
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Washington Examiner: Ukraine arrests ‘Russian agent’ accused of helping plan strike on military base
Washington Examiner: Zelensky releases video of missile strike on shopping mall
Washington Examiner: Russian military denies hitting mall in strike that killed nearly 20
Washington Examiner: China says NATO ‘making enemies’ in Asia
Washington Examiner: Military to continue providing abortions after Roe reversal
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Wall Street Journal: Russia to Bolster Border With Nuclear Weapons, Missiles if Sweden, Finland Join NATO
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USNI News: U.S. Sending Metal Shark Maritime Combat Boats to Ukraine, Company Says
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Military Times: Abortions Are Rarely Performed By Military Clinics, Data Shows
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Calendar
WEDNESDAY | JUNE 29
7:45 a.m. — Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks to reporters following the first day of the Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government in Madrid, Spain https://www.nato.int
10 a.m. — House Appropriations Committee markup of the FY2023 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill http://appropriations.house.gov
10 a.m. — Business Council for International Understanding virtual discussion on “the economic and supply chain impact of the Russia/Ukraine war through an agriculture lens,” with Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute; and Eric Trachtenberg, senior director for land and agriculture economy at the Millennium Challenge Corporation https://bciu.zohobackstage.com/
11 a.m. — Washington Post Live virtual discussion with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on “the war in Ukraine, EU membership and the EU’s role in the conflict.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live
12 p.m. — Hudson Institute virtual discussion: “Winning the Airwaves: The Future of DOD Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations,” with Brig. Gen. AnnMarie Anthony; director of operations at U.S. Strategic Command; Col. William Young, commander at U.S. Air Force 355th Spectrum Warfare Wing; and David Tremper, director for electronic warfare in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment https://www.hudson.org/events/2115-virtual-event
12 p.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. — The Cato Institute virtual discussion: on “What Will Be the Impact of the War in Ukraine for the Future of European Security?” with Nicole Koenig, fellow at the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies; Barry Posen, professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Justin Logan, senior fellow at Cato https://www.cato.org/events/what-will-be-impact-war-ukraine
1 p.m. — Global Zero virtual discussion: “The Real Cost of ICBMs: U.S. Economic Development Beyond Defense Spending.” https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
2 p.m. — House Judiciary Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee hearing on “Oversight of Immigrant Military Members and Veterans,” with Jennifer MacDonald, senior adviser to the VA secretary; Debra Rogers, director of immigrant military members and veterans initiative at the Homeland Security Department; and Stephanie Miller, director of the Defense Department’s Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management http://judiciary.house.gov
5:30 p.m. — Silverado Leadership and Service Forum virtual discussion: “Portraits in Public Service and National Security,” with Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and National Intelligence Director Avril Haines https://www.youtube.com/watch
9 p.m. Simi Valley, California — Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute discussion with Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., as part of the “A time for Choosing” series with leading voices in the conservative movement. https://www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-events
THURSDAY | JUNE 30
6:15 a.m. — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg press conference at the conclusion of the Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government in Madrid, Spain. https://www.nato.int
10 a.m. — The Middle East Institute virtual discussion: “Will the War in Ukraine Push Iran and Russia to Compete?” with Jakub Godzimirski, professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; Diana Galeeva, visiting fellow at Oxford University; Hamidreza Azizi, fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs; and Abdolrasool Divsallar, MEI nonresident scholar https://www.mei.edu/events
FRIDAY | JULY 1
10 a.m. — American Security Project virtual briefing: “Unpacking the 2022 NATO Summit,” with former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Navy Adm. James Stavridis, vice chair and managing director of the Carlyle Group https://www.americansecurityproject.org/event
MONDAY | JULY 4
Independence Day holiday — no Daily on Defense
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Fifth.”
Fired national security adviser retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, invoking the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, which states that “No person shall … be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,” in answer to the question: “Do you believe in the peaceful transition of power in the United States of America?”
