Lithuanian authorities say almost 50 foreign delegations with 2,400 representatives are gathering in Vilnius, including 40 presidents or prime ministers and up to 150 other high-ranking politicians. Lithuania and several of its allies have beefed up security for the NATO summit, with as many as 12,000 troops backed by warships, air defense systems and artillery deployed for the two-day meeting. German officials had promised a substantial new military aid pledge at the NATO summit in Vilnius but made clear their continued reluctance to agree to Ukraine’s request for Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Germany, already one of the biggest providers of military aid to Ukraine, put the value of the latest package at nearly 700 million euros ($768 million). There will also be five armored recovery vehicles. The German Defense Ministry said Tuesday that Germany also would give Ukraine another 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 5,000 rounds of smoke ammunition, a reconnaissance and drone-defense package and a Luna drone system.

Germany has announced a package of further military aid for Ukraine that includes 40 extra Marder armored personnel carriers, another 25 old Leopard 1 tanks and two Patriot defense missile launching devices. “We haven’t already always had the easiest relations with Turkey, but we shouldn’t turn our backs on Turkey, otherwise it will find other partners,” Bettel said. He said Erdogan’s decision on Sweden “shows that if one talks to Turkey, one finds solutions.” Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said it’s important to keep seeking cooperation with Ankara. Speaking as he arrived Tuesday at the two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Scholz called Turkey “an important partner for us” and said he would speak with Erdogan during the event. Scholz and others have rejected a connection. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan linked his country’s support to Turkey’s long-stalled bid to join the European Union. NATO officials said Monday that Turkey agreed to ratify Sweden’s membership in the Western military alliance, removing one of the last major roadblocks to the Nordic country joining NATO. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the European Union’s future relations with Turkey will reflect its status as an “important partner,” but he isn’t elaborating on what that would entail.

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