vilnius summit communiqué (2023)
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Vilnius Summit Communiqué
Vilnius, Lithuania - 11 July 2023
The Vilnius Summit Communiqué, issued on 11 July 2023, outlines NATO’s response to a security environment profoundly shaped by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It reaffirms the Alliance’s unity and commitment to collective defense.
Key Decisions and Declarations
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Russia as the Primary Threat: The communiqué identifies Russia as the most significant and direct threat to Allied security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. It condemns Russia’s war in the strongest possible terms and calls for the immediate withdrawal of its forces from Ukraine.
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Strengthened Deterrence and Defence: Allies commit to a new baseline for deterrence and defense, with new regional plans, a new NATO Force Model, and enhanced capabilities across all domains. It also strengthens the commitment to defense spending, making 2% of GDP a minimum, not a ceiling.
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Ukraine’s Future in NATO: The communiqué reaffirms the 2008 Bucharest commitment that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. It removes the requirement for a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine, establishes the NATO-Ukraine Council to enhance political partnership, and agrees on a substantial package of expanded non-lethal assistance.
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Finland and Sweden: The communiqué welcomes Finland as a full member of the Alliance and looks forward to welcoming Sweden as a full member.
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China: The communiqué addresses the challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China’s stated ambitions and coercive policies, while also remaining open to constructive engagement.
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Other Threats: The communiqué also addresses a range of other threats, including terrorism, cyber and hybrid threats, and the security implications of climate change.
The Vilnius Summit Communiqué represents a major step in NATO’s adaptation to the new security reality in Europe. It demonstrates a strengthened commitment to collective defense, a clear path forward for Ukraine’s membership, and a growing awareness of the challenges posed by China.