Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met on May 31, 2024, to discuss preparations for the upcoming Washington Summit.
During their meeting, Stoltenberg expressed gratitude towards Blinken for his commitment to the transatlantic Alliance and NATO. "Secretary Blinken, dear Tony, it’s good to see you again, and thank you for your personal commitment to the transatlantic Alliance, to NATO," said Stoltenberg. He emphasized the importance of the summit in celebrating NATO's success and making critical decisions to enhance collective defense and deterrence.
Stoltenberg highlighted that NATO allies are increasing their defense spending, with at least two-thirds expected to invest 2 percent or more in defense by the time of the summit. He also mentioned plans to strengthen support for Ukraine and partnerships with Asia-Pacific partners.
Blinken reciprocated Stoltenberg's sentiments, acknowledging his leadership during challenging times. "We have an Alliance that is stronger, it’s bigger, it will be even better resourced," said Blinken. He underscored the significance of preparing NATO for future challenges and anticipated a robust agenda from the summit.
Both leaders agreed on finalizing important decisions ahead of the summit. Blinken noted that there would be a strong package for Ukraine and reinforced partnerships with non-NATO countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing optimism about the upcoming Washington Summit and its potential outcomes.
