NATO's Top Brass Hits Kyiv, Warsaw With 3 Blunt Words: Block, Blunt, Break

NATO's top military commander has unveiled a blunt new strategy to counter Russia as the alliance's senior military body made its first visit to Kyiv since 2018.

General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, laid out the plan in a speech in Warsaw: block, blunt, and break any Russian attack [260387]. He said the alliance is ready for any threat, though he also said a war is not likely to start soon [260387]. His message was meant to reassure allies while making clear that NATO is prepared to defend itself [260387].

In a separate push, Grynkewich said Russia is sabotaging Europe and that the answer is more weapons for Ukraine [261527]. He urged allies to use a United States purchase scheme, known as PURL, to speed up deliveries of American-made weapons to Ukraine [261527]. The program drew nearly $5.5 billion in pledges before May [261527]. The commander also called for a clear statement of where the red lines lie [261527].

The diplomatic and military pressure came together in Kyiv, where military representatives from all 32 NATO member states traveled to receive a direct battlefield assessment from Ukraine's command [257042]. It marks the first time since 2018 that the alliance's top military body has met in the Ukrainian capital [257042]. The officials gathered to study the war Ukraine is fighting — a conflict NATO may one day face itself [257042].

In London, Andy Burnham will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street on Wednesday [261657]. The meeting aims to show strong United Kingdom support for the Ukrainian president [261657]. The show of support comes as Zelenskyy faces new difficulties with Donald Trump [261657]. The UK prime minister said his message to Zelenskyy and Ukraine is simple: "We are with you for as long as it takes" [261657].