Source: CGTN    Published: 2023-07-12

As NATO launches its conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, in preparation for increased military operations in the stalemated Ukraine conflict, and is for the first time inviting in countries from the Asia-Pacific region, Japan and South Korea, in what they hope to be an extension of the NATO tentacles to the Pacific region, the much-touted "NATO unity" seems to be more illusion than reality.

Firstly, there is the internal dissension over how to handle the conflict in Ukraine. The United States will provide "cluster bombs" to Ukraine, which have been banned by over 100 countries due to the significant risk they pose to civilian populations, including many of the NATO countries who have already expressed opposition to the U.S. decision to send them to Ukraine.

A main topic of discussion in Vilnius will be the relationship between Ukraine and NATO. Ukraine wants in now, and is supported by some of nations like Poland and the Baltic states. Joe Biden, undoubtedly with the support of many other NATO countries, said no – at least, not yet. Such a decision now would mean that NATO has officially been at war with Russia, and then all bets are off. Even setting a timetable may be difficult, as Ukraine has a long way to go in coming up to par with NATO requirements.

NATO has expanded this year with the addition of Finland, but its Swedish neighbor, which intended to come in at the same time as Finland, was held up by objections from NATO member, Türkiye – and Hungary – which feels that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered by Türkiye as a terrorist group, has freedom to operate in the ultra-liberal climate of Sweden.

Even the unity among the traditional nations of Western Europe is wearing thin. The massive social unrest in France is reflective of the population's opposition to French President Emmanuel Macron's war policy. Similarly in Germany, recent election losses for Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats have been fueled by the major economic difficulties Germany has experienced in its desire to stick with Biden on the Ukraine war policy. The "stalwart" Netherlands is now going through a change of government, which creates uncertainty about its future position with regard to the war in Ukraine. NATO was intent on electing a new secretary general this year, but dissension over the candidates, and a personal appeal from Biden, convinced the sitting Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to continue in his post.