In light of the ongoing Russian military escalation in Ukraine, the three-day NATO summit was launched in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and is expected to conclude with the approval of strengthening heavy weapons near Russia, increasing the number of NATO forces in Eastern Europe, and expanding the size of the rapid reaction forces from 40,000 to 300,000 soldiers.

Prior to the start of the summit, US President Joe Biden announced the strengthening of the US military presence by land, sea and air throughout Europe, to respond to threats from all directions.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that Russia poses a direct threat to the security of NATO countries, and that the Madrid summit is historic, while the alliance is facing the most serious security crisis since World War II.