Ukraine–NATO relations

Using US military articles provided to NATO allies for "non-legitimate military purposes" could trigger the suspension or cancellation of all or part of the delivery of the equipment, according to the final draft of a letter of assurance written by the US Department of State, at the demand of the US Congress in the context of negotiations during the NATO Summit at Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 20

WASHINGTON - Using US military articles provided to NATO allies for "non-legitimate military purposes" could trigger the suspension or cancellation of all or part of the delivery of the equipment, according to the final draft of a letter of assurances written by the US Department of State, at the demand of the US Congress in the context of negotiations during the NATO Summit at Vilnius, Lithuan

The letter of assurances sent by the US State Department to Congress foresees the suspension or cancellation of all or part of the delivery of defense items provided to a NATO ally if those defense articles are used for non-legitimate military purposes.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said yesterday that 18 of the alliance's 31 countries are set to meet the defence spending target of two percent of gross domestic product in 2024.

The release of the new estimates came after Donald Trump rattled the alliance by saying he would "encourage" Russia to attack members who were not meeting the obligation.

NATO "cannot be an alliance a la carte," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday after Donald Trump downplayed his commitment to NATO's security umbrella in Europe if he becomes U.S. president again.

NATO's secretary general called on Europe to increase its arms production to support Ukraine and prevent "potentially decades of confrontation" with Moscow, in an interview published by German media Saturday.

Day 695 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the Gaza conflict and European security priorities, including Sweden's NATO integration, during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Saturday. 

Russia launched a massive air attack over Ukraine on Friday, killing at least 30 people and wounding scores across the country in the fiercest assault since the first days of the war nearly two years ago.

Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were among the buildings hit in the barrage, said Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pointed out that the aid package will cover "Ukraine's most urgent needs".

The Russians confirmed: 74 of them were eliminated...