How has Summit Lacrosse Club dominated New Jersey high school lacrosse. What are the key milestones in Summit’s lacrosse history. How many state championships has Summit won. Who are the notable coaches that shaped Summit’s lacrosse program. What records has Summit set in New Jersey high school lacrosse.
The Origins and Early Years of Summit Lacrosse
The Summit Lacrosse Club has a rich history dating back to the early 1970s. Founded in Summit, New Jersey, this program has grown to become one of the most successful high school lacrosse teams in the state. The club’s journey began in 1972 under the guidance of coaches Howard Kelsey and Ray Discolo.
In its formative years, Summit Lacrosse quickly established itself as a competitive force. By 1973, the team had already clinched its first B Division Championship, defeating Princeton Day in a memorable match. This early success set the stage for what would become a dynasty in New Jersey high school lacrosse.
Key Milestones in the 1970s
- 1972: Establishment of Summit Lacrosse Club
- 1973: First B Division Championship
- 1976: Bruce DeMaio takes over as head coach
The Bruce DeMaio Era: Laying the Foundation for Success
Bruce DeMaio’s tenure as head coach marked a turning point for Summit Lacrosse. Taking the helm in 1976, DeMaio led the team through a period of growth and improvement. His leadership culminated in the team’s first state championship in 1981, a watershed moment for the program.
The 1981 season was nothing short of spectacular for Summit. With a near-perfect record of 21-1, the team dominated the competition, securing both the NJ State Tournament Championship and the NJ Coaches Tournament Championship. This dual victory earned Summit the prestigious Kemp Cup and the number one ranking in the NJ Star Ledger.
Summit’s First State Championship
- NJ State Tournament Championship: Victory over Montclair at Booton HS
- NJ Coaches Tournament Semi-Final: Defeated Columbia 8-7
- NJ Coaches Tournament Championship: Won against Montclair at Princeton University
DeMaio’s success continued into the 1983 season, where Summit once again claimed the state title. This period under DeMaio’s guidance set the standard for excellence that would define Summit Lacrosse for decades to come.
The Rise to National Prominence: 1990s and Early 2000s
The 1990s saw Summit Lacrosse continue its upward trajectory. Under coaches like Bush, Harris, and Zanelli, the team maintained its competitive edge. However, it was the arrival of Jim Davidson as head coach in 1999 that truly catapulted Summit into the national spotlight.
Davidson’s impact was immediate and profound. In his first year, he led the team to a 16-5 record and a championship title. This success was just the beginning of a remarkable run that would see Summit become a perennial powerhouse in New Jersey high school lacrosse.
Jim Davidson’s Early Achievements
- 1999: 16-5 record, Championship title
- 2000: 17-2 record, Championship title
- 2001: 20-3 record, State runner-up
Under Davidson’s guidance, Summit consistently reached the later stages of state tournaments. The team’s ability to perform under pressure and in high-stakes games became a hallmark of the program.
Summit’s Golden Age: 2005-2011
The period from 2005 to 2011 represents the pinnacle of Summit Lacrosse’s achievements. During this time, the team reached unprecedented heights, setting records and cementing its place among the elite programs in the nation.
The 2005 season was particularly noteworthy. Summit captured the Group 1 state title with a victory over Mountain Lakes and advanced to the Tournament of Champions final. Although they fell short against Delbarton, this run demonstrated Summit’s ability to compete with the very best in New Jersey.
2009: A Perfect Season
The 2009 season stands out as perhaps the greatest in Summit’s history. With a near-perfect record of 22-1, the team achieved the following:
- Iron Hills Conference Champions
- Fitch-Pitt Division Champions
- Union County Champions
- Group II State Champions
- Tournament of Champions Winners
- Kemp Cup Winners
This remarkable season culminated in Summit being ranked No. 1 in New Jersey by the Star Ledger and No. 7 nationally by Inside Lacrosse Magazine.
Breaking Records: Summit’s 68-Game Winning Streak
Following their perfect season in 2009, Summit Lacrosse embarked on an incredible run that would see them set a new state record. The team’s winning streak extended through the 2010 season and well into 2011, ultimately reaching 68 consecutive victories.
This streak included another perfect season in 2010, where Summit went 23-0 and once again swept all major titles, including the Tournament of Champions. The team’s dominance during this period was unprecedented in New Jersey high school lacrosse history.
Key Components of the Winning Streak
- Consistent offensive production
- Stifling defense
- Strong leadership from experienced players
- Tactical brilliance from Coach Jim Davidson
The streak finally came to an end in the 2011 Tournament of Champions final, where Summit fell to Bridgewater-Raritan in a close 6-5 match. Despite the loss, the 68-game winning streak remains a testament to Summit’s excellence and a record that may stand for years to come.
Summit Lacrosse’s Impact on New Jersey High School Sports
The success of Summit Lacrosse has had a profound impact on the landscape of high school sports in New Jersey. The program’s consistent excellence has raised the bar for lacrosse programs across the state, inspiring other schools to elevate their game.
Summit’s achievements have also brought increased attention to lacrosse in New Jersey. The team’s national rankings and record-breaking performances have helped to showcase the high level of lacrosse talent in the state, attracting college recruiters and increasing opportunities for players throughout New Jersey.
Legacy of Success
- Multiple state championships
- Numerous conference and county titles
- Record-setting winning streak
- National recognition and rankings
The program’s success has also fostered a strong lacrosse culture in Summit, with youth programs thriving and a community that rallies behind its team. This grassroots support has been crucial in maintaining Summit’s position at the top of New Jersey high school lacrosse.
Coaches Who Shaped Summit Lacrosse
Throughout its history, Summit Lacrosse has been guided by a series of exceptional coaches who have each left their mark on the program. From the early days with Howard Kelsey and Ray Discolo to the transformative tenure of Bruce DeMaio, each coach has contributed to building Summit’s lacrosse legacy.
Jim Davidson, who took over in 1999, deserves special recognition for his role in elevating Summit to national prominence. His tactical acumen, ability to develop talent, and leadership skills have been instrumental in the team’s success over the past two decades.
Notable Summit Lacrosse Coaches
- Howard Kelsey and Ray Discolo (1972-1975)
- Bruce DeMaio (1976-1984)
- Jim Davidson (1999-present)
These coaches have not only built winning teams but have also shaped the character of countless young athletes, instilling values of hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship that extend far beyond the lacrosse field.
Summit Lacrosse: Looking to the Future
As Summit Lacrosse moves forward, the program faces the challenge of maintaining its high standards of excellence. With a strong foundation built over decades of success, Summit is well-positioned to continue its dominance in New Jersey high school lacrosse.
The program’s consistent ability to produce top-tier talent and compete at the highest levels suggests that Summit will remain a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, Summit’s established tradition of excellence provides a solid base for future success.
Keys to Continued Success
- Strong youth development programs
- Continued emphasis on fundamentals and team play
- Adapting to evolving strategies and techniques in the sport
- Maintaining a winning culture while fostering player development
With its rich history, dedicated coaching staff, and supportive community, Summit Lacrosse Club is poised to write many more chapters in its storied legacy, continuing to set the standard for high school lacrosse in New Jersey and beyond.
| 1972 | Howard Kelsey/Ray Discolo | ||||
| 1973 | 7-4 | Howard?Kelsey/Ray Discolo | B?Division Champions, Defeated Princeton Day | ||
| 1074 | Howard?Kelsey/Ray Discolo | ||||
| 1975 | Rick O’Neill/Tom Washburn | ||||
| 1976 | Bruce DeMaio | ||||
| 1977 | Bruce DeMaio | ||||
| 1978 | 8-8 | Bruce DeMaio | |||
| 1979 | 5-11 | Bruce DeMaio | |||
| 1980 | 10-8 | Bruce DeMaio | Lost to Columbia 1st Round | ||
| 1981 | 21-1 | Broce DeMaio | Champions | NJ State Champions: NJ State Tournament Championship Won vs. Montclair at Booton HS. NJ Coaches Tournament Semi-Final Won vs. Columbia 8-7, NJ Coaches Tournament Championship game Won vs. Montclair at Princeton University for the 1981 Kemp Cup NJ State Championship. No. 1 Ranking in the NJ Star Ledger | |
| 1982 | 13-4 | Bruce DeMaio | Champions | Lost in quarterfinals | |
| 1983 | 16-2 | Bruce DeMaio | Fitch Division Champions | NJ State Champions: NJ State Tournament Championship Won vs. Columbia. NJ Coaches Tournament Championship game Won vs. Columbia at Rutgers University for the 1983 Kemp Cup NJ State Championship. No. 1 Ranking in the NJ Star Ledger. | |
| 1984 | 10-4 | Bruce DeMaio | |||
| 1985 | 5-10 | Mark Miller | |||
| 1986 | 4-11 | Steve Hadley | |||
| 1987 | 7-9 | Steve Hadley | |||
| 1988 | 5-9 | Steve Hadley | |||
| 1989 | 4-11 | Reynolds | |||
| 1990 | 11-7 | Bush | |||
| 1991 | 6-9 | Bush | |||
| 1992 | 1-16 | Harris | |||
| 1993 | 6-12 | Harris | |||
| 1994 | 9-10 | Zanelli | 1st Rnd. Won2nd Rnd. Won Quarter Finals Lost | ||
| 1995 | 12-7 | Dowling | |||
| 1996 | 12-9 | Dowling | |||
| 1997 | 12-8 | Dowling | |||
| 1998 | 13-6 | Dowling | Champions | 1st Rnd.- Edison – Won 17-0 2nd Rnd.- Don Bosco – Lost 6-5 | |
| 1999 | 16-5 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd – Bergen Cath.- Won 18-1 2nd Rnd – Westfield – Won 9-8 Quarter Finals – Delbarton – Lost 10-7 | |
| 2000 | 17-2 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd – Dwight-Englewood – Won 17-2 2nd Rnd – Montclair – Won 15-6 Quarter Finals – Moorestown – Lost 6-5 | |
| 2001 | 20-3 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd – Dwight-Englewood – Won 13-2 2nd Rnd – Bridgewater-Raritan – Won 12-5 Quarter Finals – Ramapo – Won 6-3 Semi Finals – Delbarton – Won 4-2 Finals – Moorestown – Lost 8-3 | |
| 2002 | 18-2 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd – Bye 2nd Rnd – Moorestown – Won 7-4 Quarter Finals – Chatham – Won 10-7 Semi Finals – Ridgewood – Lost 10-6 | |
| 2003 | 17-3 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd – Bye Semi Finals – Johnson – Won 14-3 Finals – Westfield – Won 4-3 | 1st Rnd – Shawnee – Won 6-1 2nd Rnd – Westfield – Won 10-6 Quarter Finals – Ramapo – Lost 6-3 |
| 2004 | 17-3 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd – Bye Semi-finals – New Providence – Won 13-3 Finals – Westfield Won 13-2 | 1st Rnd – New Providence Won 11-2 2nd Rnd – Chatham Won 8-3 Group 1 Semi Finals – Madison Won 14-2 Group 1 Finals- Mt.  Lakes Lost 9-5 |
| 2005 | 20-4 | Jim Davidson | Champions | 1st Rnd. – Bye Semifinals – Gov. Livingston – Won 15-4 Finals – Westfield; Won 14-2 | Group 1 1st Rnd. – bye 2nd Rnd. – New Providence won 12-1 Quaterfinals – Pingry Won 8-3 Semifinals – Kinnelon Won 8-4 Finals – Mt. Lakes Won 8-6 TOC |
| 2006 | 17-4 | Jim Davidson | Champions | Finals vs. Westfield; Lost 10-9 | Group 1 1st Rnd vs Jefferson – Won 11-4 2nd Rnd vs Caldwell – won 13-6 Semifinals vs Madison – Won 10-6 Finals vs Mtn Lakes – Lost 10-9 |
| 2007 | 9-10 | Jim Davidson | Semifinals won 7-3 vs. Johnson Finals – Lost 7-6 vs. Westfield | 1st Rnd vs Bernards – Won 16-2 2nd Rnd vs Kinnelon – Lost 8-5 | |
| 2008 | 15-6 | Jim Davidson | Union County Champions Semifinals-Won 10-0 vs.  CranfordFinals-Won 7-6 vs Johnson | 1st Rnd vs. Manasquan – Won 14-2 Quarterfinals vs. Kinnelon -Won 6-3 Semifinals vs. Mountain Lakes – Lost 11-4 | |
| 2009 | 22-1 | Jim Davidson | Iron Hills Conference Champions;Fitch- Pitt Division Champions | Union County Champions: First Round Bye, Semi-Finals Won vs. Westfield 12-3; UCT Finals Won vs.? AL Johnson 9-3 | NJ State Champions: Group II – 1st round Won vs. Mt. Olive 9-1; 2nd Round – Won vs. Montville 18-5; Semi-Finals Won vs. Mendham 6-3; Finals vs. Moorestwon 9-8 at Ridge HS.? Winner -Tournament of Champions |
| 2010 | 23-0 | Jim Davidson | Union County Conference ChampionsFitch-Pitt Division Champions | Union County Champions: Semifinals: Won 12-0 vs. Cranford Finals: Won 7-2 vs.Westfield | NJ State Champions :Group 1 2nd Rnd: Won 14-1 vs Manasquan Quarterfinals: Wo 13-2 vs. Rumson- Fairhaven Semifinals: Won 9-2 vs. Mt Lakes Final: Won 10-4 vs. Madison TOC Champions 45 game winning streak – a NJÂ State Record. |
| 2011 | 23-1 | Jim Davidson | Fitch-Pitt Division ChampionsUnion County Conference Champions | Union County Tournament Champions Semifinals: Won 16-2 vs. Johnson Finals: Won 15-2 vs. Cranford | NJSIAAChampion – Group 2 2nd Rnd: Won 13-0 vs Jefferson Quarterfinals: Won 14-2 vs Montville Semifinals: Won 15-2 vs Somerville Finals: Won 7-6 (5 OTs) vs.  Chatham @Â RidgeNJSIAA Tournament of Champions Semifinals: Won 10-5 vs. Delbarton @ Kean Finals: Lost 6-5 vs. Bridgewater-Raritan @ Rutgers68 game winning streak – New State recordRanked #2 by The Star-Ledger Ranked #17 Nation wide by Inside Lacrosse Ranked #18 Nationwide by Laxpower.com Ranked #20 Nationwide by ESPNRise |
| 2012 | 22-2 | Jim Davidson | Fitch-Pitt Division ChampionsUnion County ChampionsNJSIAA Group 1 Champions | Union County Tournament Semifinals vs. Oratory Won 17-4Finals vs. Westfield Won 12-1 | NJSIAA Championship – Group 1 1st round: vs Pascack Hills Won 16-0 2nd Round: vs. Johnson Won 14-1 Quarterfinals: vs. Mahwah Won 15-6 Semifinals: vs. Rumson Won 13-8 Finals: vs Glen Ridge Won 9-8 @ Livingston NJSIAA Tournament of Champions Semifinals vs Delbarton Lost 5-1 Kean |
| 2013 | 18-3 | Jim Davidson | Union County Conference Champions | Union County Tournament ChampionsSemifinals: vs. CranfordWon 14-2 Finals: vs. Westfield | NJSIAA North, Group 2 First Round: vs Passaic Valley, Won 18-0 Quarterfinals: vs Ramapo Won, 18-3 Semifinals: vs Northern Highlands, Won 11-4 Finals: vs Chatham, Lost 4-3 |
| 2014 | 23-2 | Jim Davidson | Fitch/Pitt Tri Champion Ranked #2 Star Ledger Ranked #3 Lax Power, NJ Ranked #5 MSG Tri-State Ranked #17 US Lacrosse National Ranked #25 Lax Power National | Union County Tournament Champions Semifinals vs. New Providence Won 17-4Finals vs. Westfield Won 9-3 | NJSIAA Group 2 State Champions Sectional 1st Round vs. Jefferson Won17-1 Quarter Finals vs.Mahwah Won 13-2 Semifinals vs. Lakeland Won 13-3 Sectional Finals vs. Northern Highlands Won 6-2 Group 2 Finals vs.  Sommerville Won 4-2TOC Semi-Final vs Mountain Lakes Won 10-3 TOC Final vs Delbarton Lost 7-5 |
| 2015 | 19-5 | Jim Davidson | Union County Tournament Semifinals vs. New Providence Won 12-4Finals vs. Westfield Lost 4-3 (3 OT) | NJSIAA Group 2 State Champions Sectional 1st Round vs. Paramas Won 18-0 Quarter Finals vs. Pascak Valley Won 11-1 Semifinals vs. Ramapo Won 9-1 Sectional Finals vs.Chatham Won 8-2 Group 2 Finals vs. Cranford Won 8-7 TOC Qusrter-finals vs. Rumson Won 7-0 TOC Semi-Final vs Bergen Catholic Lost 8-5 |
Summit lacrosse prepares for an explosive 2023 season – Union News Daily
SUMMIT, NJ — It’s the time of the year when the Summit High School lacrosse teams begin to perfect its craft.
Arguably the top boys and girls public school lacrosse programs in the state, both varsity squads are, once again, coming off highly successful seasons on which they seek to still build.
Practice commenced last week for the 2023 lacrosse season in New Jersey and, in the same way as baseball and softball, the first scrimmages can be played Thursday, March 23, with opening day Monday, April 3.
Summit boys lacrosse scrimmages
Thursday, March 23: Ridge High School, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 25: at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School, 8 a.m.
Thursday, March 30: Mountain Lakes High School, 4:30 p.m.
Season-opener: Monday, April 3: at Glen Ridge High School, 4:30 p.m.
Summit girls lacrosse scrimmages
Saturday, March 25: Sacred Heart Greenwich, Conn., 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 28: Bridgewater-Raritan, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 30: Immaculate Heart Academy, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 1: at Moorestown High School, 10 a.m.
Season-opener: Monday, April 3: Ridgewood High School, 4 p.m.
Summit’s boys team is coming out of a 16-3 season, in which it finished tied for first in the New Jersey Interscholastic Lacrosse League’s Fitch-Pitch Division with Delbarton School and Seton Hall Preparatory School, all three teams 6-1.
The Hilltoppers defeated Westfield High School 13-2 to capture another Union County Tournament championship. In the final round of Group 2, Summit High School was defeated by Rumson-Fair Haven High School 9-5.
Senior John Murray led in goals with 47 and senior Dylan Sebastian was first in assists with 33 and points with 79. Sebastian scored 46 goals.
Jake Lowry, a returning senior who will continue to play football in college at the University of Chicago, had a solid season for veteran head coach Jim Davidson last year. Lowry scored 10 goals, assisted on 16 others for 26 points and also produced 12 ground balls.
The Summit girls had one of their best seasons ever last year, fashioning a final 23-2 record that included a Group 2 state championship and the final Tournament of Champions crown.
Summit’s only losses were to Sacred Heart, Conn., 12-11, and to Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child 9-6 in the UCT championship game.
The Hilltoppers closed their highly successful 2022 season with a nine-game winning streak, including victories against Manasquan High School 14-6 in the Group 2 state championship game and against Oak Knoll 10-4 in the TOC final.
Three non-seniors last year were the leading offensive standouts for Summit, which captured the New Jersey Interscholastic Girls Lacrosse League’s Stars & Stripes South Division title with a perfect 6-0 mark.
Now a senior, Lily Spinner led in points with 96, while Jane Freeman, also a senior now, led in goals with 57. As a sophomore last year, junior Anya Wardle was first in assists with 56.
In the TOC championship contest against Oak Knoll, Summit defeated its in-town rival 10-8 in the regular season, Spinner had three goals and Wardle three assists and five points, including two goals.
After leading only 4-3 at the break, Summit broke open the game in the second half, outscoring Oak Knoll 6-1 the rest of the way.
Sophie Lambrianakos led Oak Knoll with two of its four goals. Devon Gogerty had one assist for the Royals, who finished 21-5.
For both boys and girls, the cutoff date to qualify for the state playoffs is Saturday, May 20. The public school state playoffs are scheduled to commence Thursday, May 25.
90,000 NATO Summit: what the alliance countries are expected from each other
Author of the photo, Reuters
Signature to the photo,
Secretary General NATO Jens Stoltenberg constantly have to reconcile different points of view in the Alliance – and then present the public, compromise position
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The main issue of the NATO summit that began today in Vilnius is, of course, the relationship of the alliance with Ukraine, but NATO countries also have questions to each other, which relate to both support for Ukraine and the general state of the military bloc.
The main collision of the summit is well known, and almost all press publications and statements of politicians regarding the Vilnius meeting are devoted to it: Ukraine and the countries of NATO’s eastern flank want a clear timetable for Ukraine’s entry into the alliance, and the countries of the conditional “old West” habitually want to leave themselves some freedom of maneuver.
Biden and the Election Problem
US President Joe Biden, however, has a parallel task: he needs to prove to his allies that, despite elections coming up in a year and four months, America will not stop helping Ukraine.
As BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurker recalls, potential Republican candidates, one of whom Democrat Biden will have to fight, have different views on the Ukrainian issue.
Donald Trump, who is still the front-runner for the future Republican nomination, is ambiguous and incomprehensible, stating that he would stop the war in 24 hours, but not explaining how.
Other Republicans — in particular, former Vice President Mike Pence and former US Ambassador to the UN Nicky Haley, fully support Ukraine.
Image copyright Reuters
According to a BBC correspondent, Biden administration officials privately admit that the campaign will inevitably complicate military assistance to Ukraine, at least temporarily.
“Biden’s challenge is to acknowledge this, but at the same time reassure other democratically elected leaders that the United States will be their reliable partner as long as he remains in office – whether he remains in office for another 18 months or four more years,” concludes the BBC’s North America correspondent.
Britain – on military appropriations
Britain is one of Ukraine’s most active allies in NATO, and Prime Minister Sunak’s position on admitting Ukraine is closer to that of Kiev itself and the countries of the eastern flank than the position of some other “old” countries of the alliance.
On the way to Vilnius, Sunak told reporters that Ukraine’s place is in NATO, and the summit participants should make some “obvious progress” on this issue.
In addition, Sunak in Vilnius is going to again call on the allies to fulfill their own obligation and finally start spending at least 2% of their GDP on military needs.
In 2014, after the Russian seizure of Crimea, the NATO countries at the summit in Wales promised each other that they would increase military spending to 2% of GDP and more within ten years. That is, the term expires in a year.
Only nine out of 31 NATO countries currently meet this standard. Another 11 plan to reach it by next year. But Rishi Sunak, according to his press service, would like to achieve at the summit that all members of the alliance present a specific plan to increase military spending to the required amount.
Image copyright Reuters
Sunak is going to urge allies to learn from the Russian invasion and improve the efficiency and mobility of their armed forces.
In addition, Sunak will officially announce at the summit plans to dramatically increase the production of projectiles under the government contract with BAE systems by 200 million pounds (about 260 million US dollars).
Convince Putin
As BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale points out, the overall strategic goal of this summit is to show Putin that NATO is committed to providing Ukraine with military assistance in the long term.
According to Landale, Western politicians hope in this way to show Putin that if he hopes to wait until the West gets tired of helping Ukraine, then his hopes are in vain.
“In this regard, some believe that this summit is potentially as important as successes on the battlefield in forcing Putin to change strategy,” reports the BBC at the NATO summit in Vilnius.
Foreign media about the main goals and themes of the NATO summit
The NATO summit in Vilnius starting this week has already attracted the attention of the world press. His main problem, according to experts, is the obvious split of the allies on the issue of Ukraine’s entry into the alliance and the difficulty in finding a compromise.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (left) and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda
Photo: Alexey Vitvitsky, Kommersant
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (left) and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda
Photo: Alexey Vitvitsky, Kommersant
The issue that threatens to divide the alliance is Ukraine’s ambitions to join it.
One camp, including Poland, the Baltic states and Ukraine itself, wants the country to be put on a fast track to NATO membership. The other, led by the US and backed by Germany, wants to slow down the process and put forward other forms of security guarantees for Ukraine. Skilful diplomats will probably find the wording that will hide these contradictions under paper.
NATO’s final communiqué is likely to confirm that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance in the future, but it will not contain any promises for an accelerated process. This, however, will not close the question. Behind all this, there are fundamental disagreements on how to end Ukrainian (conflict. – “Kommersant” ) and how to guarantee peace … It is easy to sympathize with the point of view (Estonian Prime Minister Kai Kallas. – “Kommersant” ) that ambiguity is dangerous and that “gray zones are sources of conflicts and wars.” Ukraine will, of course, be safer in NATO, and experience suggests that Russia will not attack a country that is protected by Article 5 (of the NATO Charter.
– “b” ). But in reality, the American point of view will prevail. The United States accounts for approximately 70% of all defense spending of all NATO countries. Therefore, NATO policy will ultimately be decided in Washington, not in Brussels or Vilnius.
The leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will be holding their annual summit in Vilnius… this week, and, nice to say, a resurrected alliance will be on display. The key moments of this (revival. – “Kommersant” ) was the decision of the United States and other allies to supply the military efforts of Ukraine (and. – “Kommersant” ) … Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s “pivot” speech, in which he expressed the opinion that Germany, and therefore other partners, needed an internal political transformation in order to restore common security within NATO …
The first task in Vilnius will be to continue to support Ukraine in the face of a complex counter-offensive and whatever it was that would follow.
Western leaders seem reluctant to say they want an unconditional victory for Ukraine, which is a mistake as it sends mixed signals to the Kremlin about Western resolve. But barring a decisive victory, the Allies have an interest in helping Ukraine negotiate peace from a position of strength. And this means deliveries (Ukraine. – “b” ) more advanced weapons.
NATO needs to complete its expansion… Finland is already a member, but (Turkish President – “Kommersant” ) is blocking Sweden’s entry without any reasonable (or even obvious) reason. This week’s summit is an opportunity for other leaders to remind Mr Erdogan that membership in the bloc is beneficial for Turkey, and that comes with the obligation to play as a team.
Ukraine will not be accepted into NATO when President Biden and the leaders of the Western alliance gather in Lithuania… Sweden, most likely, too, since its entry is still blocked by the only member – Turkey. Negotiations have been underway for months now, which should have been completed by the time 31 NATO countries, including the newest one, Finland, meet for a summit in Vilnius, a city with a long history of Russian and Soviet domination.
The fact that none of this has yet been decided, even as feverish negotiations continue within the alliance, underlines how NATO unity, which Mr. Biden celebrates at every turn, is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain as the war continues…
The question of what exactly to promise Ukraine will be the most painful at the summit. The final communiqué is expected to say that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in the NATO alliance,” NATO officials said, but there is debate about adding the words “when conditions permit” and whether some of these conditions should be detailed. But beyond the wording, how Ukraine gets there and through what process remains debatable.
Rarely have NATO summits been so momentous. And rarely have their outcomes been so uncertain. When the heads of state and government of 31 NATO member states meet in Vilnius… this Tuesday, almost nothing will be clear. As of Monday, there is not even a certainty that… President Zelensky will accept the invitation.
.. In the worst case scenario, there is a risk of failure (of the summit. – “b” ). This will be a huge shame in the midst of a key phase (the conflict in Ukraine. – “Kommersant” ).
Most NATO member countries want to see Ukraine in NATO. Joe Biden and Olaf Scholz don’t want that. If NATO members begin to resolve this dispute directly, then the summit will be derailed … Therefore, some compromises will be invented that can be interpreted in different ways, and the result of this will be that Ukraine will be allowed to join NATO when there is no longer an urgent need for this. This will not please Ukraine.
NATO will host a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania from 11 to 12 July. The main agenda of the summit includes three aspects: the issue of Ukraine, Sweden’s accession to NATO and participation in the affairs of the Asia-Pacific region to address the problems associated with the rise of China. Judging by the reports, NATO member countries have varying degrees of disagreement on these three issues./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69254864/_big_030621mlax09.0.jpg)
However, these three questions highlight NATO’s aggressiveness, not its downsizing and retreat. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, NATO member countries have strengthened their cohesion under the banner of the ideology of Western civilization. At the same time, a growing number of member countries and leaders are showing stronger ambitions for NATO expansion than ever before. This is different from traditional NATO policy, which is centered on (located.— “b” ) defense.
NATO’s aggressiveness is not only an expansion of military deterrence, but also an expansion of values. It is because of this “original intent” that NATO enlargement includes so-called global security in its vision… While we are seeing diverging views within NATO regarding engagement in Asia-Pacific affairs, what we need to pay more attention to is the strong desire for enlargement that is constantly brewing within NATO. The existing disagreements within NATO regarding expansion are mainly not about whether to expand or not, but rather about what kind of expansion to carry out, whether it should be slow or fast .
