26 April 2021
NATO will hold a summit on 14 June 2021 in Brussels, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on 22 April.
“This is a unique opportunity to reinforce NATO as the enduring embodiment of the bond between Europe and North America,” Stoltenberg said. The summit will follow a Group of Seven meeting of leaders in the UK on 11-13 June.
He listed summit discussions focusing on “Russia’s aggressive actions, the threat of terrorism, cyber attacks, emerging and disruptive technologies, the security impact of climate change, and the rise of China”. It will also discuss the NATO 2030 initiative, commissioned in 2019 on reforms to the alliance, after Trump questioned its relevance.
NATO summits after a US election have traditionally been the setting for the alliance to promote unity, welcome a new American president and agree on political and military goals. In a visit to Brussels last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said NATO had “rediscovered its better self”.
The NATO summit will take place as NATO and US troops are withdrawing from Afghanistan, the alliance’s biggest and most challenging operation ever.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: “This trip will highlight his commitment to restoring our alliances, revitalising the transatlantic relationship, and working in close co-operation with our allies and multilateral partners to address global challenges and better secure America’s interests.”