NATO set to agree biggest defences overhaul since the Cold War - including expansion of 40,000 strong response force

US Senate Approves NATO Membership for Finland and Sweden

US Senate Approves NATO Membership , for Finland and Sweden. US Senate Approves NATO Membership , for Finland and Sweden. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by a vote of 95 to one. . The vote is considered a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his order to invade Ukraine. President Joe Biden hailed the vote as "historic.". This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. ... and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. I look forward to signing the accession protocols and welcoming Sweden and Finland, , President Joe Biden, via NPR News. ... two strong democracies with highly capable militaries, into the greatest defensive alliance in history, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. Senators from both sides of the aisle touted the vote as good for both democracies and for the U.S. It sends a warning shot to tyrants around the world who believe free democracies are just up for grabs, Sen Amy Klobuchar, (D-MN), via NPR News. Russia's unprovoked invasion has changed the way we think about world security, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), via NPR News. Their accession will make NATO stronger and America more secure. If any senator is looking for a defensible excuse to vote no, I wish them good luck, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader, via NPR News. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), an ally of former President Donald Trump, cast the lone "no" vote. In explaining his vote, Hawley described his views on the matter as a "classic nationalist approach.". We can do more in Europe ... devote more resources, more firepower ... or do what we need to do to deter Asia and China. We cannot do both, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Senate Minority Leader, via NPR News

Donbas fighters use NATO weapons against Russian invaders

An ITV report shows soldiers in the Donbas region making full use of NATO-supplied weapons to hold back the Russian invaders, including tanks from Poland, Italian-supplied mortars, and US anti-tank missiles. Report by Lewisl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ukraine war to be 'decided on the battlefield', NATO official says

NATO's Deputy Secretary-General told Euronews Romania that he thinks the Ukraine war will end on the battlefield even though he hopes that "conditions will be met for a political solution to be identified."

Putin Declares the 'End of the Unipolar World' in Combative Speech

Putin Declares the 'End of the Unipolar World', in Combative Speech . Russia's president made the comments during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 17. Putin's words were widely regarded as critical insight into his thinking as the war in Ukraine continues beyond month four. When they won the Cold War, the U.S. declared themselves God’s own representatives on earth, people who have no responsibilities – only interests. , Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. They have declared those interests sacred. Now it’s one-way traffic, which makes the world unstable, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. They live in the past on their own under their own delusions … They think that … they have won and then everything else is a colony, a back yard. , Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. And the people living there are second-class citizens, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. The speech was pushed back at least an hour and a half due to what Russian officials referred to as a "massive" cyberattack. Putin addressed the international sanctions that have been levied upon Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Their intention is clear to crush the Russian economy by breaking down the chain the logistical chains, freezing national assets and attacking the living standards, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. But they were not successful. It has not worked out. , Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. Russian business people have rallied together working diligently, conscientiously, and step-by-step, we are normalizing the economic situation, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. Putin also attempted to frame the EU as a body that has "lost its sovereignty.". The European Union has fully lost its sovereignty, and its elites are dancing to someone else’s tune, harming their own population. , Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN. Europeans’ and European businesses’ real interests are totally ignored and swept aside, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, via CNN