At the end of the month Brussels, the heads of state and government of the NATO member states will meet in Madrid.

It will be the first real summit since 2018.

Groundbreaking decisions are pending for the alliance: on a new strategic concept, on the medium-term defense of the eastern flank and on the admission of Sweden and Finland, which has so far been blocked by Turkey.

As usual, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is now consulting the allies in order to resolve as many conflicts as possible in advance.

He was expected in Berlin on Thursday, but couldn't come after all.

The 63-year-old Norwegian was diagnosed with shingles, a representative of Allianz said.

This could be a result of his corona disease a month ago;

it does not make preparations for the summit any easier.

Peter Carstens

Political correspondent in Berlin

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Thomas Gutschker

Political correspondent for the European Union, NATO and the Benelux countries based in Brussels.

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After all, Stoltenberg consulted virtually with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, both SPD.

The Chancellery then announced that Scholz and Stoltenberg had discussed the planned update of the strategic concept of the alliance, as well as "necessary adjustments as a result of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the implementation of the "NATO 2030" agenda".

There was agreement "that a signal of the determination and unity of the alliance must go out from the summit".

Scholz emphasized to Stoltenberg that "the summit resolutions must ensure that NATO can continue to reliably and successfully carry out its core mission - the collective protection of the Euro-Atlantic area - in the next decade." Germany will participate "appropriately" in this.

In this context, Scholz mentioned both the 100 billion “special fund” for the Bundeswehr and the assurance he gave last week during a visit to NATO’s eastern flank.

3000 or 5000 soldiers

Germany is therefore ready to “lead a robust and combat-ready brigade in Lithuania” consisting of combat troops from the Bundeswehr and possibly supplemented by multinational formations.

Scholz did not provide any information on the size of the association, it could be 3,000 or 5,000 soldiers.

1,600 soldiers are currently stationed there, including 1,000 Germans.

However, part of the troupe should remain in Germany, rotate and practice with the Lithuanians.

A joint statement with the Lithuanian President spoke of a "scalable reinforcement" that would "allow for the expansion of Alliance forces on the ground to brigade-size in the longer term".

This does not correspond to the original ideas of the Lithuanian governments, which wanted a complete brigade on their soil, and that permanently.

However, it now shows the way that other countries also want to go in strengthening the eastern flank.

The previous battlegroups in eight NATO countries will be increased, but will not be present there in full strength.

It was not only in Berlin that reference was repeatedly made to the great effort involved in relocating soldiers and their families for several years.

Then the host country would also have to make schools and kindergartens available.

In addition, a "staggered formation" can make sense from a purely military point of view, so as not to expose all troops to the same risk.

Stoltenberg praised the German announcement after his meeting with the Chancellor.

NATO quoted him as saying that Germany was “exemplary” in preparing for the summit decisions.

He called the special fund for the Bundeswehr "a remarkable and great sign to other allies".

Finland's and Sweden's applications for membership were also discussed.

Stoltenberg actually wanted to receive representatives of both countries and Turkey in Brussels this week to find a way to end the Turkish blockade.

However, soundings in Ankara did not result in a specific date, which shows how sensitive the issue is.

There may be a tripartite meeting next week when the Alliance's defense ministers discuss in Brussels.

Whether Stoltenberg can then act as a mediator himself depends on his recovery.