MADRID — President Joe Biden’s five days of meetings in Europe and the bold actions undertaken by the U.S. and its G-7 and NATO allies reflect an abrupt sea change in the West’s approach to its own defense in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The conclusion of a historic summit here saw members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ratify a new strategic concept that will maintain a stronger military presence in Eastern Europe and the formal invitation of Finland and Sweden to join the alliance.
That came on the heels of a G-7 summit in the Bavarian Alps where leaders committed billions more to Ukraine’s defense and agreed to work toward imposing price caps on Russian oil to further stymie the country’s ability to fund its war.
