Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
11 July 2023 | 20:56 CAT

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson shake hands next to
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg prior to their meeting, on the eve of a NATO summit, in Vilnius on July 10, 2023. (Photo by YVES HERMAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by YVES HERMAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

NATO leaders gather in Lithuania for a crucial summit dominated by the Ukrainian war and Kyiv’s desire to join the military alliance. Russia has issued a series of threats.

The 31 allies hope to show Russia they have the resolve to support Ukraine militarily for the long term. They are expected to focus on ensuring that Ukraine has support as long as the conflict continues, how to bring the country even closer to NATO without actually joining, and security guarantees Kyiv might need to ensure that Russia doesn’t invade again after the war ends.

The leaders meeting in Vilnius are set to endorse new defence plans in case Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to broaden Moscow’s war beyond Ukraine and westward into allied territory. They also will weigh defence spending and how to boost their budgets as aid to Ukraine eats into national military coffers.

Political Strategist Jason Jay Smart Tweeted Words do not stop Russian invasions: Weapons, security guarantees, and beginning the process for NATO ascension do.

According to Jason, NATO leaders are long overdue to chat about Putin🇷🇺: The Putin Regime is illegitimate (he stole his elections and the Russian Constitution is changed whenever Putin demands it). Thus, negotiating, or even talking with Putin, only further legitimizes his illegitimate Regime.

“It is time to get serious about discussing the downfall of Putin or regime change in Russia,” he adds.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.