"However, we must not forget the political and diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine. I believe that we will have to do more in this area if we want to achieve a peaceful resolution of this conflict. This requires a dialogue with the Global South and other countries, especially in terms of harmonising our positions," said the Prime Minister. "Our search for a solution to the conflict in Ukraine is somewhat hampered by the fact that the West does not have clearly articulated views on the conflict in the Middle East, which has been struck by a humanitarian disaster no lesser than the one in Ukraine. I believe the double standards that other, mainly Arab, countries accuse us of are not helping us find a solution for Ukraine."

The Prime Minister added that aid to Ukraine will be organised systematically. "Slovenia was among the first to come to Ukraine's aid and it will continue providing financial assistance. The majority of grants will be for humanitarian purposes. Our contribution will not increase. But certain member countries will have to start contributing much more than before."

Prime Minister Golob expressed his satisfaction that US President Joe Biden has stressed the need for renewing NATO’s engagement in the Western Balkans. "It was NATO that helped end the slaughter, thus becoming the guarantor of peace. I wish that NATO would do the same in other conflict hotspots around the world. Slovenia explicitly pledged its support for continued assistance to Ukraine and engagement in the Western Balkans, where it will double its troops in Kosovo," said Prime Minister Golob.

On the margins of the Summit, the Prime Minister also commented on the unilateral actions of Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, who paid a visit to Moscow. "My colleagues have shown no apparent understanding for these unilateral actions, and I myself have no particular understanding either, even less so when someone pretends to speak on behalf of the European Union or allows the possibility of others interpreting it that way. I think this issue will be discussed a lot," said the Prime Minister, adding, "Slovenia is a great defender of the rule of law and will stand on this side in this case as well."

Prime Minister Golob added that he had had several opportunities to speak with President Biden yesterday. "President Biden was with us for the whole Summit and, unlike some of his younger colleagues who left the Summit, he did not leave and listened attentively and participated in the debate throughout. I am convinced that this speaks volumes about both his vitality and his faculties. I cannot predict what his decision will be. Yesterday, I saw that he is a true leader when it comes to the Alliance," the Prime Minister said.

Two meetings will be held today at the NATO Summit in Washington – a meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Indo-Pacific partners and the EU, followed by a North Atlantic Council–Ukraine meeting.

At the latter, a joint statement highlighting the Alliance's long-term support to Ukraine will be adopted. Leaders will also adopt a new defence industrial pledge to accelerate the growth of defence industrial capacity across the Alliance. The aim of the meeting is to foster political dialogue and practical cooperation.

The Summit will also address the increasing connectivity between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. Along with the EU, a meeting will be held with four partner countries – Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Allied leaders are expected to endorse a new action plan to strengthen the Alliance's strategic approach to the southern neighbourhood. The latter foresees strengthening political dialogue and practical cooperation with countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Today, Tina Gaber, in the company of other spouses and partners of NATO leaders, will tour Camp David, the military base where the Presidents of the United States of America host their highest-level state visits.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Golob, Minister Fajon and Minister Šarec attended a North Atlantic Council meeting in an alliance format. In the evening, the Prime Minister together with Tina Gaber attended a reception and dinner hosted by the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill Biden, at the White House. Minister Fajon attended a reception hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while Minister Šarec attended a reception of Ministers of Defence hosted by the US Secretary of State Lloyd Austen.