Three conferences are being held a month after Russia attacks Ukraine. US President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels on Thursday to take part in these conferences. NATO, G-7, and the European Union are organizing all three meetings to show solidarity. Such solidarity is rarely seen in Western countries. Joe Biden will participate in these three conferences. He is the first US President to attend an EU conference in Brussels.
But, Biden's visit to Brussels is not just symbolic.
Russia's attack on Ukraine has sparked a new sense of purpose in the Western Defense Alliance, NATO. And as the European Union seeks to sever its ties with Russia, it will have to strengthen its ties with other ties, especially with the US.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in both NATO and EU conferences via video link.
The 30 presidents and prime ministers of NATO member states will agree on more aid for Ukraine and the deployment of more troops to the eastern allies. Its purpose is to show solidarity with Ukraine. However, this solidarity will be only up to a limit.
Many of these members are ready to supply arms. Britain says it will use both the G-7 and NATO meetings to substantially increase defensive cooperation for Ukraine.
But the alliance has made it clear that it will not be directly involved. The coalition also ignored Zelensky's demand for a no-fly zone for Ukraine. At the same time, it is not clear how the coalition will respond if Russia escalates the conflict in Ukraine. For example, if there is an attack on a convoy of Western weapons or if chemical or nuclear weapons are used, then what will the coalition do?
NATO's red line has so far been drawn only on its borders.
collective security
30,000 NATO soldiers from 25 countries have been training in Norway for the past few weeks. This exercise is part of the cold response, a practice that has become more important in today's era.
Like Ukraine, Norway also shares its border with Russia. The only difference is that being a member of NATO, Norway has a circle of 'collective security. This means that if there is an attack on one, then it will be considered an attack on all the countries of NATO.
A young Norwegian soldier tells the BBC, "I believe this type of exercise is good to prove to countries like Russia that you do not engage with NATO."
NATO leaders are focusing on how to further increase their security. They have already sent thousands of troops to the eastern side of the coalition, as well as air defense equipment, warplanes, and fighter aircraft.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg calls it the "new normal" after Russia attacks Ukraine.
On the other hand, Russia has got what it did not want, deploying more NATO coalition troops near its borders.
Sweden and Finland are countries of the European Union that are not members of NATO but have sent their forces for exercises in Norway. Since the Russian attack, he seems to become very close to NATO.
Former US President Trump has questioned the existence of NATO, while French President Emmanuel Macron has once called the organization "brain dead". But President Biden's visit to Brussels is proof that he considers NATO more important to curb Russia.
The surprising unity of the European Union
Defense strategy will also play an important role in the EU summit. Here the leaders of the member countries will approve the plans that will bring the member countries together to mobilize military planning, intelligence, and equipment. Deployment of 5,000 soldiers is also an ambition.
All this is part of the theme of "strategic autonomy". The argument is made that a sovereign Europe is a safer Europe. Whether for this to get the supply of energy and semiconductor chips or to increase military spending.
But the big question for the 27-nation EU is energy supply as they try to look for it apart from Russia. After the unity shown by all the 27 countries on the ban, in the beginning, the question remains on what to do next and there is also a scattering.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly condemned sanctions on Russian gas and oil imports. It has also been said that this step will push Europe into recession. Before the conference, he said, "The sanctions should affect European countries no more than the Russian leadership. This is our principle."
'Blood Money
EU leaders will also discuss rising energy prices. But some countries are pressing for action because they do not want the money to buy energy to go to the Kremlin, they are also expressing disappointment about it. "It's blood money," says a European diplomat. I don't think some countries understand the gravity of the situation.
In such a situation, all eyes will be on President Biden's offer to give more liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe at the conference. America is the world's largest producer of natural gas. It is also believed that Biden may announce more sanctions on Russian leaders and oligarchs.
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