Several pressing issues will be front and center when leaders from Europe and North America gather in Vilnius, Lithuania for a key NATO summit today, including the war in Ukraine and the makeup of the alliance itself, writes NRP.

“The meeting comes amidst Ukraine’s counteroffensive and its renewed bid to join NATO. Members of the alliance agree that Ukraine can join eventually - but not as soon as Volodymyr Zelensky had hoped.

“The decisions we will take in Vilnius will bring Ukraine closer to NATO...Bolstering NATO’s deterrence and defense will also be high on the agenda of our summit”, - said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Allies will take major steps towards the latter goal with the adoption of three new regional defense plans to counter the two main threats to NATO: Russia and terrorism.

According to Stoltenberg, 300,000 troops at heightened readiness along with significant air and naval combat capability will support the plans.