NATO allies are seeking clarification about a proposal by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to provide Ukraine with over $100 billion in military aid over five years, according to a POLITICO report on Sunday.
The proposal aims to ensure long-term NATO support for Ukraine and to prevent a future American president from winding down the war, a strategy informally referred to as “Trump-proofing.” Despite former President Trump’s support for House Speaker Mike Johnson’s advancement of $61 billion in spending on the conflict, Stoltenberg's plan faces scrutiny.
Stoltenberg initially proposed the plan in April and seeks to finalize details before the NATO summit in Washington this July. However, POLITICO reports that several allies are hesitant due to unclear funding sources.
“The plan is a bit confusing,” an Eastern European official commented, expressing hope that Stoltenberg will provide more clarity during the upcoming NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Prague this Thursday and Friday. Another official anticipated that the proposed sum might be revised to a smaller figure.
One potential funding method involves the 32 NATO members contributing to the $100 billion fund in proportion to their contributions to NATO’s budget. This would place the majority of the financial burden on the United States, which currently funds about two-thirds of NATO’s budget.
Despite skepticism from some allies, Stoltenberg and several NATO countries remain committed to continuing support for Ukraine, even though achieving a decisive victory on the battlefield appears increasingly unlikely.
