Stoltenberg urges €40 billion annual funding for Ukraine
Kicking off the NATO Foreign Ministers gathering in Prague, Secretary General Stoltenberg voiced his concern regarding insufficient aid for Ukraine. He advocates for a continual level of support up until the future. Whether his plan will receive the green light remains questionable.
NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg is attempting to persuade member nations to provide prolonged military backing for Ukraine, despite political resistance. According to reports from German Press Agency, the Norwegian hopes to secure at least equal prior-year funding for years ahead. Stoltenberg has sent over a letter detailing this proposal to the current NATO Foreign Ministers meeting. In theory, Ukraine could anticipate 40 billion euros annually if there's an agreement.
To begin with, Stoltenberg had previously suggested promising Ukraine 100 billion-euros worth of NATO military aid for the coming five years. However, he encountered meager support for this plan. Reasons include other governments preferring to assist Ukraine bilaterally or utilizing existing EU processes. Additionally, financial pledges through NATO might be more binding due to a fixed contribution.
At the initial NATO gathering on Thursday, Stoltenberg pressed for heightened efforts from partners to bolster Ukraine, without specifying specific figures. "The fact is, what we've done thus far is not adequate," he stated succinctly.
Stoltenberg aspires for momentous fresh commitments to Ukraine at the NATO summit in July in Washington. This would notably demonstrate to Russia that they won't triumph in their onslaught against Ukraine. At the present NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Prague, the arrangements for the summit are being finalized.
A further issue on the table is the plan to transfer chores for backing Ukraine, which have thus far been undertaken by the United States, to the alliance. The rationale behind this is the possibility of Donald Trump once again becoming the U.S. president. His previous comments have instilled doubts about the United States continuing to protect Ukraine in its defense war against Russia.
Read also:
Following Stoltenberg's call for increased aid, NATO countries are now facing a decision to sustain their military backing for Ukraine. Stoltenberg's proposal aims to secure at least the same amount of funding as previous years, amounting to 40 billion euros annually, in support of Ukraine.
As the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting continues in Prague, Jens Stoltenberg's letter detailing this proposal seeks to garner approval, aiming to provide Ukraine with significant financial assistance in their ongoing battle against Russia's attack.
