What is the NATO military alliance and how is it helping Ukraine?

President Joe Biden and NATO Allies Gather to Mark 75 Years of Alliance

BRUSSELS— This week, President Joe Biden, along with leaders of NATO member countries, is convening in Washington to commemorate the 75th anniversary of NATO, the world’s most extensive security alliance. This gathering comes at a crucial time as Russia continues its aggressive military actions in Ukraine.

The three-day summit, beginning on Tuesday, is set to focus on reaffirming NATO’s support for Ukraine. The alliance aims to provide hope to the Ukrainian people, who are enduring the largest land conflict in Europe in decades. 

NATO’s role and contributions to Ukraine, as well as global security, are often misunderstood, with many perceiving NATO as synonymous with the U.S. and its European allies’ collective actions against Russia, including sanctions and arms supplies. However, NATO, as an organization, has a more defined and limited scope.

Understanding NATO's Role

NATO, founded in 1949, was established by 12 nations to counter the Soviet Union's threat during the Cold War. The organization's core mission is the military defense of its 32 member countries, grounded in the principle of collective security as stated in Article 5 of its founding treaty. 

This principle ensures that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Despite Ukraine meeting the criteria for NATO’s protection, it remains a partner, not a member, hence not covered under Article 5.

NATO’s membership has grown over the years, with Sweden joining recently due to rising concerns over Russia's aggression. The organization operates on a consensus basis, giving each member the power to veto decisions.

Leadership and Structure

The United States, as the most powerful NATO member, significantly influences the alliance's agenda due to its substantial defense expenditure and military capabilities. 

The day-to-day operations are led by NATO's Secretary-General, currently Jens Stoltenberg, who will be succeeded by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on October 1. The Secretary-General facilitates discussions and represents the alliance, but does not wield direct control over member nations.

NATO’s military command is based in Mons, Belgium, traditionally led by a top U.S. military officer. Currently, this position is held by Army General Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

NATO's Support for Ukraine

Despite the existential threat Russia poses to Europe, NATO as an organization does not supply Ukraine with weapons. Instead, it provides non-lethal support such as fuel, medical supplies, and equipment to counter drones and mines. Individual member countries, however, supply arms independently or collaboratively.

NATO is also aiding Ukraine by helping its armed forces transition from Soviet-era doctrines to modern military strategies and strengthening its defense institutions. 

During the Washington summit, NATO leaders plan to endorse a new initiative to better coordinate the delivery of equipment and training to Ukraine's forces. They will also reiterate their commitment to Ukraine eventually joining NATO, albeit not while the country is at war.

Enhanced European Defense Posture

While NATO has no immediate plans to deploy troops to Ukraine, it has significantly increased its military presence along its eastern borders to deter potential aggressors, including Russia. Finland and Sweden’s recent NATO membership reflects growing security concerns.

NATO has mobilized 500,000 personnel to maintain high readiness for any potential attacks across land, sea, air, or cyberspace. The alliance has doubled the number of battle groups on its eastern flank and continues to conduct extensive military exercises, such as the Steadfast Defender, which involved approximately 90,000 troops across Europe.

U.S. Leadership in Defense Spending

The U.S. has long shouldered a substantial portion of NATO’s defense responsibilities, thanks to its significant defense budget, advanced weaponry, and logistical capabilities. However, other NATO allies have been increasing their defense spending. 

Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO members committed to spending 2% of their GDP on defense within a decade. This commitment has been further strengthened with the agreement to make 2% the minimum spending target.

Currently, a record 23 NATO countries are close to meeting this target, a significant increase from a decade ago when only three countries met the benchmark. This shift demonstrates a collective effort within the alliance to share the burden of maintaining global security and defense.