Key events
One issue defence ministers will discuss today is the implementation of the alliance’s new military plans – and how equipment and troops will be placed on NATO’s sensitive eastern flank.
I touched base with @NATO Secretary General @JensStoltenberg on our ongoing support to Ukraine, and plans to scale up Canada’s presence on the Alliance’s eastern flank. Our commitment to the Alliance is steadfast – and we’ll continue to step up for Allied security. pic.twitter.com/1QAqUIl41y
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) October 12, 2023
#ICYMI: Germany 🇩🇪will increase its military engagement at #NATO’s eastern flank. The plan is to start setting up the new #Bundeswehr brigade for Lithuania 🇱🇹as early as next year. The brigade will be stationed permanently in Lithuania. https://t.co/0yBzS2XvkA
— Germany at NATO (@GermanyNATO) October 12, 2023
Austin: Support for both Israel and Ukraine possible
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin assured other NATO defence ministers that it is possible to give strong support to both Israel and Ukraine, a US official and a European diplomat told the Guardian.
Yesterday, Austin also stated publicly that “the United States will remain able to project power and to direct resources to tackle crises in multiple theaters, so we will stand firmly with Israel as we continue to support Ukraine.”
Israeli forces ‘not alone’, top NATO military official says
Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO military committee, said following a session with Israel’s defence minister that the Israeli military “does not stand alone.”
Estonia seeking answers on undersea infrastructure ‘as soon as possible’
Speaking at NATO headquarters this morning, Estonian defence minister Hanno Pevkur said the security of undersea infrastructure is “one of the most acute topics at the moment for Estonia and Finland.”
Referring to an incident where damage was detected a gas pipeline and a data connection cable, the minister said “there are two investigations ongoing.”
“We are not speculating at the moment about any cause,” he said, adding that the governments will do their best to get information out “as soon as possible” and that an overview will be shared with NATO allies today.
The situation in the Middle East is “very worrying,” the Estonian minister added.
“My message to everyone who is thinking that the west will be disunited,” Pevkur said, is that “we are united – and we will help Ukraine and also Israel.”
Israel asks NATO for political support
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant briefed his NATO counterparts via videoconference this morning.
After the session, the Guardian caught up with Israel’s ambassador to the EU and NATO, Haim Regev, at NATO headquarters.
“The main message of the minister was that it was a savage attack, brutal attack by terrorists – Hamas is ISIS – and we are expecting full support,” the ambassador said.
“We do not ask specific things from NATO as NATO,” he added.
“The idea,” the ambassador said, “was to share with NATO what Israel faces since the beginning, since Saturday morning – and the minister focused on that, because it’s important to understand against whom we are standing.”
“It’s black and white,” he insisted. “Israel is fighting against a terror group – not against anybody else.”
Regev said that Israel’s defence minister did mention to his NATO counterparts that Iran is backing and financing Hamas, but that the focus of the short discussion was Gaza.
Ministers were also showed a video showing atrocities.
Ambassador Regev said he felt there was strong backing for Israel in the meeting.
“We would like to see a statement by NATO – strong statement, strong support,” he said.
“For us, it was extremely important that the defence ministers will hear from firsthand what happened,” he added.
Asked whether Israel has asked any specific NATO members – besides the US – for equipment or ammunition, the ambassador said: “Israel is a strong country.”
“We have all the means right now that we need,” he said, noting that with the exception of the US, Israel is not asking for specific assistance.
Jon Henley
Why are NATO ministers worried about undersea infrastructure?
Nato this week promised a “determined” response if damage to an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia proves deliberate, as investigators said traces of an “external, mechanical force” had been found on the seabed.
Amid widespread media speculation about the likelihood of Russian sabotage, Risto Lohi of the Finnish national bureau of investigation told a press conference in Helsinki on Wednesday: “There is reason to suspect an external force … caused the damage.” The force, he added, “appears to have been mechanical, not an explosion”.
The agency’s chief, Robin Lardot, said marks had been found on the seabed at the site of the damage to the Balticconnector pipeline. Its operators said it would take at least five months to repair the pipeline, meaning it was unlikely to come on stream again until April 2024.
But Lardot said the investigation into aggravated vandalism was in its “very early technical stages” and could take several more days because of poor weather and the large search area. The bureau was working to “find facts and analyse them”, he said.
Finnish authorities announced on Tuesday that a sudden fall in pressure in the pipeline recorded on Sunday had been caused by extensive damage that “appeared to be deliberate”.
Read the full story here.
Germany to allow Israel to use Heron drones
Germany will allow Israel to use two Heron drones the German air force has in use, German defence minister Boris Pistorius announced this morning ahead of the NATO ministers’ session, Reuters reported.
NATO ministers hold talks with Israeli counterpart as fighting continues
NATO defence ministers are starting their day in Brussels with a special session on the situation in Israel and Gaza. They are joined via videoconference by Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defence minister.
What should we expect out of the meeting?
One senior European diplomat told the Guardian: “Israel is a NATO partner sharing our values, suffering barbaric terrorist attack. I expect solidarity with Israel, condemnation of Hamas terror and recognition of Israel’s right to self defense.”
A second senior European diplomat also said they expect “expression of solidarity against terrorism with NATO partner Israel … from all allies except Turkey I fear.”
The diplomat said they expect a “dissenting voice from Turkish authorities.”
Ministers to address ‘wide’ agenda amid multiple crises
Speaking alongside US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said this morning that ministers from across the alliance today will be discussing a host of challenges.
The ministers will be “addressing a wide range of issues – how to support Ukraine, our deterrence and defence, NATO’s missions and operations in Kosovo and Iraq,” Stoltenberg said.
“This morning,” the NATO chief noted, “we’ll also be briefed about the horrendous terrorist attacks against Israel over the weekend by Hamas, and we’ll be briefed by the Israeli defence minister.”
Stoltenberg said the military alliance “really” appreciates American leadership on all these issues, but also noted that “European allies and Canada have really stepped up and are also providing substantial support to Ukraine.”
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe live blog, which today comes to you from NATO headquarters in Brussels, where ministers from the alliance’s 31 countries are gathering to discuss deterrence and defence.
While this is part of a regular, pre-scheduled meeting, a number of developments from the past weeks – from the war in the Middle East to tensions in Kosovo and fears about possible sabotage of undersea infrastructure – will be high up on the ministers’ agenda.
Stay tuned and send comments to [email protected].
