The general secretary of the NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, is right when he says that the summit of this organization, which begins this Tuesday, is historic. Indeed, the Madrid summit has the ambition to face a new world, which poses complex challenges in all areas. Also in that of security, marked by the invasion of a European country, which he knocks on the doors of the defense organization and the European Union, by Russia. The ukrainian war It will not be the only concern of the Atlantic leaders. The challenge of China, as an emerging power that aspires to lead a new international order, will undoubtedly preside over the elaboration of the New Strategic Concept that appears as the main objective of the summit. However, Ukraine will dominate emergencies, and the summit must decide how to respond to Vladimir Putin. With what resources and weapons, and with a road map that allows opening scenarios acceptable to Volodímir Zelenski and Putin.
NATO meets in a very different context from the one that presided over the Lisbon summit. It suffices to remember that Russia was described then as a potential “strategic partner”, while now it appears as the most active threat. Putin’s deliberate desire to regain influence from the former Soviet Union has been the main trigger for the war. Consequently, the summit faces the challenge of blocking the path to a policy that seeks the division and destruction of the EU and threatens our model of democracy. It will have to do this by helping Ukraine to defend its sovereignty, while the EU and the G-7 address the economic and social consequences of the conflict in the world.
The risks facing NATO have changed and its perception among Europeans has changed. Today, more than 80% of Spaniards are supporters of the Alliance. In part, Putin is to blame for this change in perception. The same one that has led Sweden and Finland to ask for admission. However, the war in Ukraine does not explain everything. European societies see with growing fear that they are the victims of a collusion between the interests of China, Russia and other authoritarian states, although this should not imply that they become uncritically involved in the US strategy for the Pacific area. The multipolar world is a reality, and it is convenient to adapt to it, but not at the cost of collective security and the renunciation of our values. Hence the need for a new NATO able to cope with these complex times. Although to tackle the threats in Eastern and Southern Europe, it is necessary to combine a new security architecture with a global policy that addresses social and climate challenges, and the defense of democracy and human rights.