NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends a press conference on the day of a NATO foreign ministers meeting at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 3, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/Pool
NATO allies reached an agreement on Wednesday to commence planning for long-term military support to Ukraine. However, the proposal put forth by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to establish a five-year fund of 100 billion euros ($107 billion) for this purpose elicited a variety of responses from member states.
Ministers acknowledged the complexity of assembling such a fund, with Ukraine emphasizing the necessity for fresh financial resources. Stoltenberg advocated for a shift towards providing reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine over an extended period, prioritizing multi-year commitments over short-term offers.
The proposed framework would also entail NATO assuming a more direct role in coordinating the supply of arms, ammunition, and equipment to Ukraine, thereby reducing reliance on the ad-hoc coalition led by the United States known as the Ramstein group. This adjustment is partly aimed at safeguarding against potential fluctuations in U.S. support, particularly in light of the possibility of Donald Trump returning to office.
Stoltenberg aims for a decision on this matter to be reached at a July summit of NATO member state leaders, with consensus among the 32 members required for NATO decisions.
While initial reactions across the alliance demonstrated a degree of skepticism and support, further deliberation is deemed necessary to address concerns and clarify operational details.
Hungary expressed reservations, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining NATO’s defensive posture and avoiding actions that might escalate tensions or shift the alliance towards an offensive stance. Stoltenberg assured that the proposed framework would not alter NATO’s defensive nature and expressed confidence in addressing Hungary’s concerns.
Other member states, such as Spain and Italy, highlighted the importance of avoiding redundancy in efforts between bilateral, European Union, and NATO assistance programs. They stressed the need for thorough evaluation and clarification of operational modalities before committing to specific financial contributions.
Conversely, Germany and Latvia voiced support for the proposal, considering it a vital step in providing sustained support to Ukraine. Russian authorities, however, criticized NATO’s approach, characterizing it as a return to Cold War-era thinking.
NATO’s stance on Ukraine’s membership remains unchanged: Ukraine cannot join the alliance while engaged in conflict with Russia, but the prospect of membership remains viable for the future.
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