Aid to Ukraine key topic for discussion at NATO summit, DOD says

The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday confirmed that NATO members will discuss Ukraine’s path to joining the alliance at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. this week. Those discussions will feature talks about bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities and improving its military’s compatibility with other alliance members’ armed forces, the department said.

What other actions will NATO members take to support Ukraine? The Department of Defense said the United States would provide Ukraine with more air defense systems and other military capabilities. NATO members would also likely issue a statement condemning China’s support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, the DOD said. Additionally, alliance members will discuss adjustments to its military presence in countries around Russia, NATO said.

Has Russia had anything to say about the upcoming NATO summit? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of the summit, according to Russian state media. Orban on Monday dismissed claims that Russia could attack NATO and criticized the larger idea that Russia posed a threat to the West, Kremlin-run media reported.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift from last week about a recent air defense package the Department of Defense said it would be providing to Ukraine.