NATO's Stoltenberg highlights need to change dynamics of Ukraine support
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Getty Images)
NATO sees the need for changes in the dynamics of short-term and long-term commitments to support Ukraine, says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before the meeting of the NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, reports RBC-Ukraine correspondent.
"We need to shift the dynamics of our support. We must ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine for the long haul, so that we rely less on voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments, less on short-term offers, and more on multi-year pledges," Stoltenberg said.
He notes that against this background, ministers will discuss how NATO could assume more responsibility for coordinating military equipment and training for Ukraine, "anchoring this within a robust NATO framework."
"We will also discuss a multi-year financial commitment to sustain our support. This ministerial will set the stage for achieving consensus on these issues," Stoltenberg said.
He adds that 99% of all aid to Ukraine comes from NATO member countries.
Ramstein Group's assistance to Ukraine
Responding to a question about whether the Ramstein Group's assistance to Ukraine will be brought under NATO's control, Stoltenberg says that he welcomes "capability coalitions".
He also stressed the need to provide more reliable and institutional foundations for multinational and bilateral initiatives to ensure predictability and long-term commitment but refuses to go into details on this issue at the moment.
NATO's separate fund for supporting Ukraine
Stoltenberg also did not disclose details on setting a separate NATO fund to support Ukraine worth $100 billion, as previously reported by the media, only stressing that "Ukraine needs more money."
NATO's Secretary General says that a final decision on these issues should not be expected today or tomorrow, at the current ministerial meeting, as consensus may be reached by the next NATO summit in Washington.
NATO's support for Ukraine
Yesterday, the media reported that Stoltenberg proposed to create a fund of allies' contributions totaling $100 billion over five years for Ukraine.
Recently, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine remained complex. According to him, NATO allies provide 99% of all military aid.
Later, NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer stated that Ukraine could still succeed in its fight against Russia. However, partners have to increase their assistance.
