NATO News

In a written statement delivered at the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict on 14 April 2021, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, Clare Hutchinson, warned against the use of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence as a weapon of war against women and girls – and increasingly against men and boys.

NATO Allies decided on Wednesday (14 April 2021) to start withdrawing forces from the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan by May 1, with plans to complete the drawdown of all troops within a few months.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (14 April 2021), thanking him for his leadership and the "strong US commitment to our Alliance". On Afghanistan, Mr. Stoltenberg said "we went in together, we adjusted our presence together and we will also leave together", underscoring the importance of close consultations going forward.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (14 April 2021). Mr. Stoltenberg called the meeting an opportunity to “closely coordinate and consult with all Allies” on the future of the mission in Afghanistan, as well as Russia’s aggressive actions in and around Ukraine, and preparations for the NATO Summit.

On Wednesday, 14 April 2021, the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, will meet with the U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Antony J. Blinken, and with U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, at NATO Headquarters.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (13 April 2021) for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission on the security situation in and around Ukraine. “Russia’s considerable military build-up is unjustified, unexplained, and deeply concerning,” said the Secretary General.

The NATO-Ukraine Commission met at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday (13 April 2021) to address the security situation in and around Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed Allies on the latest developments in the region.

Today (13 April 2021), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed virtually the annual Raisina Dialogue organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation.The Secretary General underscored that “India is a pivotal player in the Indo-Pacific region; and an important and active international actor.” “You are one of the largest troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions; currently, a member of the UN Security Council; and you will hold the G20 presidency in 2023; so India truly matters on the global scene,” he pointed out.

On Tuesday 13 April 2021, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will meet the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Mr. Dmytro Kuleba, at NATO Headquarters.

Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană stressed the important contributions young people make to NATO in an address to the Atlantic Forum’s online Spring Conference on Friday (9 April 2021). Young professionals, he said, play a crucial role in shaping NATO’s future, and in standing up for the Alliance’s values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

On Thursday 15 April 2021, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoană will participate in the NATO Cyber Defence Pledge Conference 2021 - Entering a New Decade.

On Wednesday, 14 April 2021, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, at NATO Headquarters.

On Tuesday 13 April 2021, NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will attend the Raisina Dialogue 2021 conference.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and senior military advisor to the Secretary General paid a long-planned visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on 6-7 April 2021. Air Chief Marshal Peach met with the President of Ukraine, Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Ruslan Khomchak.

On Friday 9 April 2021, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoană will participate in the Spring Conference, organised by the Atlantic Forum.

On 29 March 2021, an online event marked the delivery of information technology (IT) equipment from NATO to Moldova’s Ministry of Defence. The IT equipment will be installed in the Ministry’s Transformation Directorate. It will contribute to move the Moldovan defence transformation effort forward.

Kabul – On 30 March 2021, Turkish Brigadier General Selçuk Yurtsizoğlu assumed command of the NATO-led Train, Advise, Assist Command-Capital, receiving his flag from Lieutenant General Nicola Zanelli, Deputy Commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. Brigadier General Yurtsizoğlu replaced Brigadier General Ahmet Yaşar Dener.

On Tuesday 30 March 2021, Major General Francesco Diella, Director of the Cooperative Security Division of the NATO International Military Staff, hosted a virtual meeting with partners on the topic of NATO’s COVID-19 Lessons Identified and Lessons Learned.