NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is set to propose a substantial financial commitment to Ukraine, amounting to $100 billion over a span of five years. This proposal, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities, comes as NATO foreign ministers prepare for discussions on Wednesday, with two diplomats briefing POLITICO on the matter.
The initiative emerges against the backdrop of a $60 billion U.S. military aid package for Ukraine facing delays in Congress. Stoltenberg’s proposal seeks to incentivize NATO allies to rally support for Kyiv by contributing to the fund based on the same proportional basis used for financing NATO’s shared budget, which considers the Gross National Income of the alliance’s 32 member states.
Furthermore, the proposal aligns with ongoing deliberations among NATO allies on the potential for the alliance to assume a more prominent role in coordinating weapon shipments to Ukraine. This would entail taking over responsibilities currently managed by a U.S.-led multinational group, known as the Ramstein group, as reported by POLITICO. This strategic shift is partly motivated by concerns over the potential impact of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office on U.S. support for Ukraine.
Diplomats indicate that NATO countries aim to finalize the details of these proposals in time for the NATO leaders’ summit scheduled in Washington in July. While Stoltenberg’s proposal and its accounting mechanisms, including the consideration of bilateral aid to Ukraine, are still under discussion, the initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing NATO’s direct support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict.
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