NATO Deputy Secretary General in Chicago: our commitment to our values remains steadfast

"In Washington, we will not have just an anniversary Summit. We will take important decisions to strengthen our deterrence and defence, to put our support for Ukraine on a sustainable long-term footing, and to deepen our partnerships with other democracies around the world," Mr Geoană said.

Reflecting on shifts in global security since NATO's Chicago Summit in 2012, the Deputy Secretary General stressed that the picture "today is very different - today, our security is under threat." He urged Allies to adapt and avoid making themselves dependent on adversaries for raw materials, technology and energy sources.

Deputy Secretary General Geoană started his visit in Washington DC, where he met with members of the US Senate, including from the Senate NATO Observers Group, as well as with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Deputy Under Secretary of Defence Melissa Dalton, and senior officials at the National Security Council. He also met members of the US Commission on the National Defence Strategy and the Rand Corporation.

Throughout his trip, which also took him to Harvard, MIT, and Purdue University, Mr Geoană engaged with students, academics, and innovators - highlighting their importance in meeting emerging security challenges.