The UK intends to remain a leading contributor to NATO as it recognises the importance of continuing to invest in collective Euro-Atlantic security, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday, according to Euractiv.
Sunak spoke to Stoltenberg over the phone on Sunday morning before travelling to the US to unveil plans for supplying Australia with nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS scheme.
He also updated Stoltenberg on the UK’s Integrated Review Refresh – which is expected to be published on Monday – that sets out the government’s evolving global strategy in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine and growing international volatility and competition.
Back in January, the UK said it was committed to leading a NATO task force in 2024.
“The UK is ready to honour our commitment to lead NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2024 – any suggestion otherwise is completely untrue,” a Defence Ministry spokesperson said at the time.
Sunak and Stoltenberg agreed to continue to work together and agreed to ensure NATO addresses the threat on Europe’s eastern flank and is ready for any future conflicts.