Germany says Vilnius summit boosted harmony in NATO

BERLIN

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday said the NATO summit in Vilnius boosted harmony in the alliance.

The two-day summit which concluded in Lithuania's capital also showed that the alliance is ready to defend its members, added Scholz in a press meeting.

"It was the first summit in which Finland participated as a NATO ally," he said, adding that Sweden will also become a member of the alliance soon.

"I am convinced the membership of Finland and Sweden will consolidate the alliance," Scholz said.

He also underscored that his country will provide more contributions to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank from 2025 on.

"NATO is a defense alliance but it's ready and capable to counter any kind of military threat," Scholz said.

In reference to Ukraine, he reiterated that Germany will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it is needed.

However, Scholz said there are criteria a country has to fulfill to become a NATO member and remarked that Ukraine is not exempted from them.

"We are now in a different situation, which is about supporting Ukraine tangibly. And this is what we're doing," he added.