A call for caution as Nato digs in
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s plea to Nato to emphasise diplomacy in dealing with global tensions was probably what any leader of a small Western democracy would want to say.
Countries like us, with few ways of influencing moves made by powerful members of the northern military alliance, are left to watch uneasily as major policy decisions are made, billions are spent on defence, and geopolitical strategies shift. These changes tend to develop a momentum, with counter-moves in response.
The PM urging careful approaches, compromise and talks is probably a good way of promoting a sense of balance — as attitudes harden amid crises.
Ardern said: “We have seen escalation in our region. Rather than heightening, we seek to use diplomacy and dialogue to (bring down) the temperature.”
However, the horse appears to have bolted on her suggestion that Russia’s war in Ukraine should ideally not result in an arms race.
Ardern hoped that “we do not allow the legacy of the war in Ukraine to become an arms race, or an even more polarised and dangerous world. Our solidarity with Ukraine must be matched by an equal commitment to strengthen international institutions, multilateral forums, and disarmament.”
The war has had a huge impact on Nato, which was teetering on the edge of irrelevance. At its summit in Spain, it declared Russia as its main opponent — “a direct threat” — and invited Sweden and Finland into the alliance. It is deploying more troops and weapons to member countries in Eastern Europe. Rapid response forces in Eastern Europe will be boosted from 40,000 to 300,000.
Ukraine says its monthly defence costs are about US$5 billion. Leaders are now meeting in Switzerland, on what Ukraine’s post-war recovery would involve.
The Biden Administration last week announced a further US$820 million in military aid for Ukraine, bringing its contribution so far to more than US$8.8B. Sweden is sending an extra US$49M in military aid. Britain has provided £2.3b in war support and £1.5b in other help.
After the invasion, Germany announced a €100b fund to improve its military and vowed to maintain a defence target of 2 per cent of GDP. Denmark, Sweden and Finland said they would boost their defence spending.
The Nato summit in Madrid also described China as a “challenge” to global stability. It is estimated to be the biggest military spender after the US, with India third. Japan and South Korea are regional neighbours in the top 10.
Amid all the manoeuvring, leaders of some of the major Nato countries are facing increasing storm fronts on domestic policy. Whether this creates more pressure, the Western stance against Vladimir Putin’s Russia is becoming more entrenched.
— NZ Herald