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Transcript/ScriptNATO SUMMIT WRAP WEDNESDAY
HEADLINE: US Boosts Deployments in Europe as NATO Summit Warns of Russian Threat
TEASER: NATO’s new Strategic Concept names China as challenge to interests, security and values
PUBLISHED: 6/29/2022 at 6:21p
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Madrid
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Sharon Shahid, DJ (ok),
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Reuters, APTN, NATO Host Broadcaster
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:31
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: VPKGN
EDITOR NOTES: Replaced Stoltenberg’s last quote))
((INTRO))
[[The United States will strengthen its forces in Europe as NATO faces up to the threat from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. President Joe Biden announced the deployments at the NATO summit in Madrid — from where Henry Ridgwell reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
NATO described the Madrid summit as crucial for the future of the alliance in a more competitive and dangerous world. The United States pledged a further boost to American forces in Europe.
((President Joe Biden))
“Together with our allies, we're going to make sure that NATO is ready to meet threats from all directions across every domain: land, air and the sea.”
((NARRATOR))
The new U.S. deployments in Europe include a permanent headquarters for the U.S. 5th Army Corps in Poland; enhanced rotational deployments in Romania and the Baltic states; plus additional naval destroyers, F-35 fighter jet squadrons and air defense systems.
Separately, NATO is planning a sevenfold increase in its rapid response force, to 300-thousand troops.
((Charly Salonius-Pasternak, Finnish Institute of International Affairs (in English)))
“It's part of NATO's reorientation from what I'll call some decades of crisis management international operations, to really focus on deterrence and defense of allied territory.”
((NARRATOR))
NATO also looks set to expand — as Finland and Sweden were officially invited to join after Turkey lifted its veto on the eve of the summit. Each member state must now approve the applications — which could be finalized in weeks.
((Charly Salonius-Pasternak, Finnish Institute of International Affairs (in English)))
“It's definitely one component of making Madrid a historic summit, and it was great to get it at the very beginning. And of course Finnish and Swedish NATO membership allows you to just replan all of Northern Europe's defense.”
((NARRATOR))
NATO’s changing strategic posture was outlined in a new ‘Strategic Concept’ endorsed Tuesday at the summit.
((Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General))
“It makes clear that Russia poses the most significant and direct threat to our security.”
((NARRATOR))
While NATO shores up its defenses, Ukraine continues to face the full force of Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the summit from Kyiv.
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (in Ukrainian)))
“This is not a war being waged by Russia against only Ukraine. This is a war for the right to dictate conditions in Europe — for what the future world order will be like.”
((NARRATOR))
NATO agreed on a new long-term package of support for Ukraine. Individual NATO members are sending heavy weapons, but Ukraine says it needs much more.
((Jim Townsend, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe, NATO))
“They've had to do a lot of initial training. They've done that. Some systems have been delivered. So, they're coming out in small penny packets, if you will, unfortunately.”
((NARRATOR))
NATO members were joined by Indo-Pacific allies from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. For the first time, NATO’s new Strategic Concept mentioned China.
((Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General))
"We see a deepening strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing, and China's growing assertiveness and its coercive policies have consequences for the security of (NATO) allies and our partners."
The Madrid summit marks a historic moment for NATO — in recognizing new challenges, from climate change to China. But its new Strategic Concept is clear — that Russia poses the biggest security risk — and the alliance must adapt to that threat.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News,
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Madrid
Embargo DateJune 29, 2022 17:55 EDT
Byline((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News,
at the NATO summit in Madrid.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
