"NATO and Allies Pursue Air Defense Systems Amid Rising Tensions"

NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg urges allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine, as Germany pushes for an 'Immediate Action on Air Defence' initiative within NATO. Meanwhile, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence warns that Putin will wage war on NATO if Ukraine loses, calling on Congress to approve funding for Ukraine aid and emphasizing that isolation is not the answer. Additionally, Ukrainian backers criticize a perceived double standard in allies rushing to Israel's defense while not providing similar support to Ukraine, as Chinese President Xi Jinping tells German Chancellor Scholz that Beijing is not a security threat and urges Europe to stop the trade war.