USA: In a press conference on Monday, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that NATO will launch a new "virtual network" made up of both domestic and foreign satellites in advance of a meeting of the alliance's defense ministers.
"This will boost our surveillance and intelligence capabilities. It would enable "better navigation, communication, and early warning of missile launches," he continued, adding that it would support NATO missions and operations.
The action was taken after the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a warning a few months prior that Western commercial satellites being used in the conflict in Ukraine were legitimate military targets.
In addition to the much-needed restocking of member countries' arsenals following a year of fighting in Ukraine, Stoltenberg acknowledged that the new network would necessitate increased military spending from those countries. Thus, he said, the meeting for the day would cover how to "maintain and step up defense spending across the alliance."
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He suggested that NATO's efforts in Eastern Europe would be expanded in addition to "standing [with] Ukraine for as long as it takes," saying that "ministers will also address how to step up our practical support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Moldova," whom he called "valued partners who face Russian threats."
Although none of the three nations mentioned are members of NATO, the organization has urged them to do so as the conflict in Ukraine continues. Although none have formally applied for NATO membership, Moldova received EU candidate status in June, Bosnia in December, and Georgia in March.
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As the military alliance attempts to encroach on its borders and station missiles there, Russia has vehemently opposed NATO expansion.
