Beirut: NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska on Monday reiterated the need to turn alliance commitments into action ahead of the Ankara summit that will be held on July 7 and 8. “In just six weeks’ time, allied heads of state and government will meet in Ankara. The secretary general of NATO has a clear message for the NATO summit; we have to turn commitments into action now,” Shekerinska said during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Lithuania.

According to Anadolu Agency, Shekerinska emphasized that the threat posed by Russia to the alliance will not vanish even with the end of the war. She noted that the role of NATO is to never let its guard down. “In a more dangerous and volatile world, we must invest in our security, and we have to ramp up our defenses, all of us. And we have to do it together,” Shekerinska underscored.

Recalling that allies had agreed to spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, she stated that the Ankara summit will focus on “turning cash into combat-ready capabilities.” Shekerinska likened this effort to the Olympic motto, emphasizing the need for speed, height, and strength in collective action.

Shekerinska also highlighted the necessity to share the burden of defense more fairly through a “more balanced relationship.” She pointed out that America expects its allies to assume greater responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense, supported by US power. This expectation aligns with the objectives set for the future and the upcoming summit in Ankara.

The Ankara summit will not only focus on increased investment but also on ensuring the right warfighting capabilities. Shekerinska stressed the importance of producing faster and at scale. She concluded by highlighting Ukraine as another priority for the NATO summit, asserting that Ukraine’s security is directly linked with that of the alliance.