NATO Secretary General proposes EUR 40 billion in annual support for Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this following a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"Since Russia's full-scale invasion, Allies have put their support on a firmer footing, and have provided around 40 billion euros worth of military support each year. I have proposed that we sustain this level of support as a minimum for as long as it takes, and that Allies share this burden equitably," Stoltenberg said.
The NATO Secretary General noted that there have been delays in providing assistance to Ukraine, and this should not happen again. He also stressed that 99% of military support to Ukraine comes from NATO members.
"The good news is that Allies are stepping up. But Ukraine needs predictable support for the long term. Tomorrow, I expect ministers will agree the plan for NATO security assistance and training for Ukraine, a key deliverable for the NATO summit," Stoltenberg said.
According to him, the meeting in Brussels also focused on Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership, including bringing Ukraine's defence and security sectors in line with Alliance standards, improving defence procurement and strengthening Ukraine's defence industry base.
"Allies are preparing to endorse a NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre in Poland. Tomorrow, we will address how to further strengthen our deterrence and defense," Stoltenberg said.
According to him, tomorrow, NATO defence ministers will discuss a new defence industrial perspective to increase military production and strengthen long-term cooperation.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers began in Brussels on 13 June. On the first day, a meeting of the Contact Group on Defence of Ukraine (Ramstein) and a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council with the participation of Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov took place.
