The December meeting was the first under the leadership of the new Secretary General Mark Rutte. In the NATO-Ukraine Council, politicians discussed further support for the country, which has been resisting Russian aggression for almost three years. The informal dinner was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Adrii Sybiha and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. "NATO membership is the strongest security guarantee for Ukraine and until now we must support Ukraine in all other ways: militarily, diplomatically and humanitarian. It is in our own interest.  It is for the security of Europe," the Czech diplomatic chief said about the meeting of the Alliance ministers with his Ukrainian counterpart. 

On the second day of the meeting, the politicians focused on strategic issues and tasks arising from the Washington Summit.  In addition to NATO's approach to Russia, and measures against hybrid threats, the allies discussed China's support of Russian aggression and the Alliance's priorities ahead of the June summit in The Hague. "I have long argued that NATO needs to fundamentally reassess its relationship with Russia. We must contain Russian influence militarily, diplomatically and economically. Likewise, we need to work on weakening Russia's influence in international institutions," said Minister Lipavský. 

In the framework of the Southern Neighbourhood, King Abdallah II of Jordan held discussions with NATO foreign ministers for the first time. His country enjoys high-level relations with the NATO and has the most intensive cooperation with the Alliance in the region. Minister Lipavský praised Jordan's stabilising role in the Middle East and welcomed the intention to open a NATO Liaison Office in Amman within the Italian Embassy. 

On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Minister Lipavský met with his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski. "We discussed security. What the arrival of the new US administration will mean for us and how we can continue to cooperate. These are many topics. Meeting with Radek Sikorski is always one of the most pleasant ones," Jan Lipavský added.