2023 Vilnius NATO summit
{{Short description|NATO diplomatic conference in Lithuania}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox summit
| summit_name = NATO Summit Vilnius 2023
| other_titles = Vilnius Summit•Sommet 11–12 VII 2023
| image = 2023_Vilnius_summit_logo.jpg
| caption =
| country = Lithuania
| venues = LITEXPO
| cities = Vilnius
| date = 11–12 July 2023
| website = {{URL|www.nato.int}}
| follows = 2022 Madrid summit
| precedes = 2024 Washington summit
|logo=}}
The 2023 Vilnius summit was the 32nd formal meeting of the heads of state and heads of government of the thirty-one members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries, and the European Union, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 11–12 July 2023. The summit was officially proposed during the previous 2022 Madrid summit and its dates were fixed on 9 November 2022.{{cite web |title=Madrid Summit Declaration |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_196951.htm |website=NATO |access-date=15 February 2023 |date=29 June 2022 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706202731/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_196951.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=NATO Secretary General announces dates for 2023 Vilnius Summit |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_208802.htm |website=NATO |access-date=15 February 2023 |date=9 November 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214090415/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_208802.htm |url-status=live }} It was notable for the discussions about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as Sweden and Ukraine's prospective memberships into the alliance.
Background
The summit was held in the context of an ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. In his January 2023 address to the Lithuanian Parliament, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the summit as fateful.{{cite web |title=Zelenskyy Hopes That NATO Summit in Lithuania Will Be Fateful |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/01/13/7154097/ |website=eurointegration.com.ua |access-date=15 February 2023 |date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315013639/https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/01/13/7154097/ |url-status=live }} Ukraine expressed the desire to be formally invited to NATO at the Vilnius summit.{{cite web|title=Ukraine wants NATO invite at Vilnius summit, urges 'courage,' Zelenskiy aide says|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-wants-nato-invite-vilnius-summit-urges-courage-zelenskiy-aide-2023-06-29/|date=29 June 2023|access-date=4 July 2023|work=Reuters|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704111909/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-wants-nato-invite-vilnius-summit-urges-courage-zelenskiy-aide-2023-06-29/|url-status=live}} On 8 July 2023, US President Joe Biden said that Ukraine is not ready to join NATO at that time.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |title=Biden: Ukraine is not ready for NATO membership now |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/biden-ukraine-not-ready-nato-013631929.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Yahoo Life}} By the time of the summit there were 24 member states that had formally declared their support for Ukraine's NATO membership.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |title=Portugal supports Ukraine's membership in NATO when conditions allow |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3733222-portugal-supports-ukraines-membership-in-nato-when-conditions-allow.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=ukrinform.net|archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708122245/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3733222-portugal-supports-ukraines-membership-in-nato-when-conditions-allow.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |first1= Hira |last1=Humayun|first2= Radina|last2= Gigova|first3= Mariya|last3= Knight|first4= Tara |last4=John |first5=Gul |last5=Tuysuz |date=2023-07-07 |title=Turkey's Erdogan says Ukraine deserves NATO membership |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/07/europe/turkey-ukraine-nato-membership-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |publisher=CNN|archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708084745/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/07/europe/turkey-ukraine-nato-membership-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} Before the summit, on 4 July 2023, the former President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė criticized the Western leaders who failed to prevent the Russian aggression and said that the refusal to invite Ukraine to NATO would be a mistake.{{cite web|title=Europe said Baltics were right about Russia, but is ignoring us again, says Lithuania's former president|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2027748/europe-said-baltics-were-right-about-russia-but-is-ignoring-us-again-says-lithuania-s-former-president|date=4 July 2023|access-date=4 July 2023|website=LRT|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704090934/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2027748/europe-said-baltics-were-right-about-russia-but-is-ignoring-us-again-says-lithuania-s-former-president|url-status=live}}
Following the accession of Finland to NATO earlier in 2023, there had been an expectation among many NATO member states that Turkey and Hungary will complete the ratification process and allow the accession of Sweden before the summit.{{cite web|title=Lithuania hopes Sweden will join NATO ahead of Vilnius summit despite Hungary's objection|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2024473/lithuania-hopes-sweden-will-join-nato-ahead-of-vilnius-summit-despite-hungary-s-objection|date=2023-06-29|access-date=4 July 2023|website=LRT|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704111410/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2024473/lithuania-hopes-sweden-will-join-nato-ahead-of-vilnius-summit-despite-hungary-s-objection|url-status=live}} However, due to Turkish objections, it was unclear if Turkey would support Sweden's application by the time of the summit.{{cite web|title=Sweden's NATO bid could face delay beyond Vilnius summit – Western official|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedens-nato-bid-could-face-delay-beyond-vilnius-summit-western-official-2023-06-28/|date=28 June 2003|access-date=4 July 2003|work=Reuters|archive-date=28 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628202417/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedens-nato-bid-could-face-delay-beyond-vilnius-summit-western-official-2023-06-28/|url-status=live}}
Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea attended the summit to strengthen their ties with NATO due to increasing tensions with China and Russia.{{cite web|title=Statement of the NATO Secretary General with representatives of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_213474.htm|website=NATO|date=5 April 2023|access-date=4 July 2023|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704115036/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_213474.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=With eye on China, Japan to deepen ties with NATO at key leaders' summit|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/02/national/nato-leaders-summit-japan-preview/|date=2 July 2023|access-date=4 July 2023|website=The Japan Times|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704115036/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/02/national/nato-leaders-summit-japan-preview/|url-status=live}}
Security
File:Air Force One in Lithuania.JPG lands in Vilnius Airport. MIM-104 Patriot air defence systems visible in the background.]]
File:Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends NATO summit (53039324384).jpg Gitanas Nausėda and the First Lady of Lithuania meet UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak]]
According to a representative of the Dignitary Protection Service of Lithuania, 40 heads of state and up to 150 other high-ranking officials will attend the summit and will require personal protection.{{Cite web|title=Unprecedented scale: 12,000 officers, troops to ensure security during NATO summit in Vilnius|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2026864/unprecedented-scale-12-000-officers-troops-to-ensure-security-during-nato-summit-in-vilnius|date=2023-07-03|access-date=2023-07-03|website=Lithuanian National Radio and Television|archive-date=3 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703101611/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2026864/unprecedented-scale-12-000-officers-troops-to-ensure-security-during-nato-summit-in-vilnius|url-status=live}} To ensure the safety and security, Lithuania committed around 1,500 police officers, including the anti-terrorist unit ARAS and the Criminal Police Bureau, as well as over 3,000 troops of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Additionally, police officers from Latvia and Poland aided in security and around 1,000 troops from NATO states additionally joined as well, including the Polish Special Forces to aid the Lithuanian Special Operations Force.{{cite web|title=Poland to send special forces contingent to Lithuania for NATO summit|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2025344/poland-to-send-special-forces-contingent-to-lithuania-for-nato-summit|date=2023-06-30|access-date=4 July 2023|website=Lithuanian National Radio and television|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704104323/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2025344/poland-to-send-special-forces-contingent-to-lithuania-for-nato-summit|url-status=live}} Overall, up to 12,000 officers and soldiers were deployed. In addition to security personnel, Spain is reported to have temporarily moved its NASAMS air defense system from its long-term position in Latvia to Vilnius, in addition to Lithuania's own NASAMS systems. Similarly, German Armed Forces have deployed their MIM-104 Patriot long-range air defense system, placing it in Vilnius International Airport.{{cite web|title=Germany deploys Patriot air defence system for NATO summit in Vilnius|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2025030/germany-deploys-patriot-air-defence-system-for-nato-summit-in-vilnius|date=2023-06-29|access-date=2023-07-03|website=Lithuanian National Radio and television|archive-date=3 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703101609/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2025030/germany-deploys-patriot-air-defence-system-for-nato-summit-in-vilnius|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Nausėda lankysis "Patriot" dislokacijos vietoje Vilniuje|trans-title=Nausėda will visit the "Patriot" deployment site in Vilnius|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/nauseda-lankysis-patriot-dislokacijos-vietoje-vilniuje.d?id=93874099|date=7 July 2023|access-date=9 July 2023|language=lt|website=Delfi|archive-date=8 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708104405/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/nauseda-lankysis-patriot-dislokacijos-vietoje-vilniuje.d?id=93874099|url-status=live}} NATO sent additional warships to the Baltic Sea.{{cite web|title=NATO sends more warships to the Baltic Sea|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2028164/nato-sends-more-warships-to-the-baltic-sea|date=4 July 2023|access-date=5 July 2023|website=LRT|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704234042/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2028164/nato-sends-more-warships-to-the-baltic-sea|url-status=live}} CBRN task force was also deployed.
The Lithuanian State Border Guard Service announced that, from 7 to 13 July, internal Schengen Area border control would be reinstated at Lithuania's border checkpoints with member nations Latvia and Poland, as well as its airports and seaports.{{Cite web |title=Lithuania to reinstate checks on borders with Poland, Latvia for NATO summit |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2002054/lithuania-to-reinstate-checks-on-borders-with-poland-latvia-for-nato-summit |access-date=2023-07-03 |date=2023-05-31 |website=Lithuanian National Radio and television|archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703101606/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2002054/lithuania-to-reinstate-checks-on-borders-with-poland-latvia-for-nato-summit |url-status=live }} For the duration of the event, as well as the days leading up to and after the event, many traffic restrictions were announced by the Vilnius City Municipality, including the closure of the entirety of the Vilnius Old Town and many parts of the city center for vehicles.{{Cite web|title=NATO viršūnių susitikimas Vilniuje|trans-title=NATO summit in Vilnius|url=https://nato.vilnius.lt/|access-date=2023-07-03|website=NATO viršūnių susitikimas Vilniuje|language=lt-LT|archive-date=3 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703101609/https://nato.vilnius.lt/|url-status=live}} Additionally, from 11 to 12 July, all flights over Vilnius and the surrounding airspace were prohibited and scheduled flights from Vilnius Airport were suspended.{{Cite web |title=Dažnai užduodami klausimai |trans-title=NATO summit in Vilnius – FAQ |url=https://nato.vilnius.lt/daznai-uzduodami-klausimai/ |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=NATO viršūnių susitikimas Vilniuje |language=lt-LT |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703101607/https://nato.vilnius.lt/daznai-uzduodami-klausimai/ |url-status=live }} According to a representative of Lithuanian Airports, the other two civilian airports in Lithuania – Kaunas Airport and Palanga Airport – would continue to work but could experience delays.{{Cite web|title=NATO viršūnių susitikimas: svarbiausia informacija keleiviams|trans-title=NATO summit: essential information for passengers|url=https://kaunas-airport.lt/lt/pries-skrydi/nato|access-date=2023-07-03|website=Kaunas Airport|language=lt|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704105029/https://kaunas-airport.lt/lt/pries-skrydi/nato|url-status=live}}
Summit
File:Prime minister Rishi Sunak attends the NATO Summit in Lithunia (53040530001).jpg
File:F-16 Vilnius Memorandum.jpg memorandum]]
US President Joe Biden and a number of other leaders began arriving in Vilnius on Monday, the eve of the summit.{{cite web|title=US President Joe Biden arrives in Lithuania – photos|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2031575/us-president-joe-biden-arrives-in-lithuania-photos|date=10 July 2023|access-date=10 July 2023|website=LRT|archive-date=11 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010036/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2031575/us-president-joe-biden-arrives-in-lithuania-photos|url-status=live}} In the evening, the Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hosted a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Following multiple hours of negotiations, Stoltenberg announced that Erdoğan agreed to unblock Swedish accession to NATO and ensure the ratification as soon as possible.{{cite web|title=Turkey's Erdogan to back Sweden joining Nato – Stoltenberg|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66160319|date=10 July 2023|access-date=10 July 2023|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=10 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710193316/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66160319|url-status=live}} Soon after the announcement, Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, stated that Hungary would no longer block the entry of Sweden and would also support their membership into the defence bloc.{{Cite news |last1=Siebold |first1=Sabine |last2=Irish |first2=John |date=2023-07-10 |title=Turkey gives green light to Swedish NATO membership bid|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-sweden-locked-talks-break-impasse-over-nato-membership-2023-07-10/ |access-date=2023-07-11}}
On 11 July, the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) signed an agreement on joint airspace defense.{{cite web|title=Baltic States agree on joint airspace defense|url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/11.07.2023-baltic-states-agree-on-joint-airspace-defense.a516149/|date=11 July 2023|access-date=10 November 2023|language=en|website=LSM}}
On 11 July, a memorandum was signed between 11 nations and Ukraine to form the F-16 training coalition. As part of the signed memorandum, Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support personnel will participate in the training program. The coalition consisted of Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2023/07/11/in-vilnius-oleksii-reznikov-signed-the-memorandum-on-the-establishing-of-the-coalition-for-the-training-ukrainian-pilots-for-the-f-16/|title=In Vilnius, Oleksii Reznikov signed the Memorandum on the establishing of the coalition for the training Ukrainian pilots for the F-16|work=mil.gov.ua|date=2023-07-11}} According to the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Denmark and the Netherlands took leadership of the formed coalition and the two nations are to outline the training plan.{{cite web|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/nato-allies-details-ukrainian-f-16-training/|title=NATO Allies Reveal New Details on Ukrainian F-16 Training|first=Chris|last=Gordon|website=airandspaceforces.com|date=15 June 2023}}
Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine will not become a NATO member while the Russo-Ukrainian War remains ongoing and that the summit was not meant to be a formal invitation for it to join NATO, although countries remain divided on whether Ukraine should be able to join after the war ends.{{Cite news |last=Siebold |first=Sabine |date=10 July 2023 |title=Explainer: What's on the table for NATO at Vilnius summit?|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/whats-table-nato-vilnius-summit-2023-07-10/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010047/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/whats-table-nato-vilnius-summit-2023-07-10/ |url-status=live }} Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he wanted NATO to allow Ukraine to join as soon as possible after the war ends. However, other nations feared that such quick admittance of Ukraine to NATO could potentially increase Russian aggression and drag out the war even farther.{{Cite news |date=10 July 2023 |title=Nato summit: Ukraine's future membership to be discussed by leaders in Vilnius|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66157625 |access-date=11 July 2023}} Stoltenberg has also stated that he expects the summit to create a program of long-term aid over several years for Ukraine: "We have already pledged 500 million euros [US$548m] for critical needs, including fuel, medical supplies, de-mining equipment and pontoon bridges. We will also help build Ukraine's security and defence sector, including with military hospitals. And we will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards."{{Cite web |last=Shankar |first=Priyanka |title=NATO membership of Ukraine, Sweden in focus at Vilnius summit |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/10/nato-membership-of-ukraine-sweden-in-focus-at-vilnius-summit |access-date=11 July 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera|archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010024/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/10/nato-membership-of-ukraine-sweden-in-focus-at-vilnius-summit |url-status=live }}
Following the summit, Biden gave a speech at Vilnius University that touched on themes of unity between liberal democracies in the face of Russian aggression.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=Biden vows U.S. and allies 'will not waver' in defense of Ukraine |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-make-case-natos-vital-role-vilnius-speech-rcna93816 |access-date=2023-07-26 |publisher=NBC News}}
Participants
File:Family photo from 2023 NATO Vilnius summit (53038388599).jpg
File:Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends NATO summit (53038555112).jpg
File:Pedro Sánchez at the first day of the 2023 NATO Summit.jpg, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak]]
File:-i---i- (53040441170).jpg]]
| class="wikitable"
|+Key |
| scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC; width:3em;"|
|Non-NATO member |
|---|
{{notelist}}
Reactions
In a 12 July CNN interview, Boris Johnson, prime minister of the United Kingdom at the onset of the war, criticized the ambiguity about Ukraine's future membership and supported President Biden's decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.{{Citation |title=Boris Johnson says Wagner's rebellion signals Putin's political mortality | date=12 July 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fnatggZ9Yo |access-date=2023-07-13}}
British Secretary of Defence Ben Wallace made a remark that "we are not Amazon" and that Ukraine should show more thanks for international military aid.{{Cite news |last1=Moody |first1=Oliver |first2=George |last2=Grylls |date=2023-07-13 |title=Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv voices gratitude for aid after Ben Wallace warns 'we're not Amazon' |newspaper=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-nato-summit-2023-0bhd5s6rw |access-date=2023-07-13 |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite news |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=2023-07-12 |title=US and UK call for more gratitude from Kyiv after Zelenskiy's Nato complaint|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/12/uk-defence-secretary-ben-wallace-suggests-ukraine-could-say-thank-you |access-date=2023-07-13 |issn=0261-3077}} British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, however, distanced himself from the comment and said that Ukrainians repeatedly expressed the gratitude.{{cite web|title=Ben Wallace accused of 'scolding' Ukraine over demands for weapons: 'We're not Amazon'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ben-wallace-ukraine-amazon-b2374399.html|date=13 July 2023|access-date=10 November 2023|website=The Independent}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/216570.htm Overview – 2023 NATO Summit Vilnius]
{{NATO summits}}
{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
Category:2023 in international relations
Category:21st-century diplomatic conferences