NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Monday, discussing final preparations for the NATO Summit with President Gitanas Nauseda.
According to a NATO statement, Stoltenberg said upon arrival that when NATO leaders meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, they will take further major steps to strengthen deterrence and defence.
This includes three new regional plans, backed by 300,000 troops on high readiness, and major capabilities across all domains, the statement noted.
"This sends a clear message that we will defend every inch of Lithuania, and every inch of Allied territory," said Stoltenberg.
The NATO summit will take decisions on Ukraine, including a multi-year package of assistance, and upgraded political ties with a new NATO-Ukraine Council, he said, adding that the summit will also address Ukraine's path towards NATO membership.
NATO leaders will also meet with close partners in Vilnius, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.
"This will be Finland's first Summit as a NATO Ally, and we look forward to Sweden joining as soon as possible. I will meet with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Kristersson (of Sweden) later today as the next step in this process," Stoltenberg pointed out.
Source: Kuwait News Agency