GovWire

This summit stands out as a landmark in NATOs long history.

We arrived here faced with a more volatile and dangerous world

A mechanised war in Europe on a scale not seen since 1945

And increasing aggression from authoritarian states, challenging our security in Europe and beyond.

But as we leave Vilnius, we are more confident and more united than ever.

Let me set out three reasons why thats the case.

First, weve acted decisively to strengthen this alliance.

Agreeing the most fundamental transformation to NATOs readiness since the Cold War

Comprehensive warfighting plans to defend the UK and its allies

Scaled up defence production to boost our stockpiles, which will benefit British industry

And increased defence spending

with all allies now committed to hitting the 2% target.

And we did something here in Vilnius that not long ago seemed impossible

We welcomed Finland to the table as a NATO member

.and very soon well be doing the same with Sweden.

We are stronger with them by our side and in time we will be stronger with Ukraine as a NATO ally too.

This is my second point

It is now over 500 days since Russias invasion.

500 days of barbarity.

Of innocent people being murdered in their homes.

Of children being killed, abducted and used as human shields.

I want to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people and to their incredible bravery and resilience.

Theyre still standing strong and defiant and the counteroffensive is making progress.

In the last few weeks, theyve taken back more ground than Russia has taken in the last year.

We are standing with them

and allies are doubling down in their support.

At the Munich Security Conference in February, I called for long-term security arrangements

to protect Ukraine, break the cycle of Russian violence, and ultimately help to end this war.

And today we have delivered.

Together with our G7 partners we have agreed to provide the long-term bilateral security commitments that Ukraine needs.

These commitments mark a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

And I want to be clear, they are not a substitute for NATO membership.

The summit communique echoes the UKs long-held position that Ukraines future is in NATO.

And weve taken a big step this week towards bringing Ukraine into the alliance.

Together weve shortened their path to membership

removing the need for a Membership Action Plan

and holding the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council with President Zelenskyy sitting at the table, by our side, as an equal.

Finally, Id like to say a word about the UKs role here.

I was struck once again this week by just how highly valued our contribution is.

The British people should know that and they should be proud.

We are the leading European contributor to NATO.

We were one of the first to hit the 2% target and now were moving towards 2.5%.

We spend more than 20 other NATO countries combined, but its about much more than that.

Its about our incredible Armed Forces across land, air and sea.

Were one of the only countries that contributes to every NATO mission with RAF jets patrolling the eastern flank

Troops on the ground in Estonia and Poland as part of NATOs enhanced forward presence

And the Royal Navy, including our two aircraft carriers, providing around a quarter of NATOs maritime capability.

Its about our deep partnerships

With Japan and Italy were producing a sixth-generation fighter through our Global Combat Air Program

and with AUKUS, were working with Australia and the US to build some of the most advanced nuclear-powered submarines the world has ever known.

And its about leadership.

Weve led the way on Ukraine moving first on tanks and long-range missiles training their troops for the counter-offensive.

Just today Ive announced were providing more ammunition, 70 more combat vehicles, as well as a new rehabilitation centre for injured Ukrainian veterans.

Were moving forward with the combat air coalition

and the UK starts training Ukrainian pilots next month.

And were using our leadership in technology to keep NATO at the cutting edge

Hosting the European Headquarters of the Defence Innovation Accelerator in the UK

and holding the first global summit on AI Safety later this year.

The UK has been there since the start of this alliance.

In 1948, in the hope of avoiding another devastating war, we joined together with a handful of allies

to pledge that we would come to one anothers defence.

That pact was the seed of the North Atlantic Treaty.

75 years later, faced with new threats in Europe, NATO is more important than ever.

It has proved itself to be the most successful Alliance in history

and this week weve shown once again that the UK is at its heart.

Thank you.