NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is urging the alliance's 32 member states to commit $44 billion in military aid to Ukraine each year, doubling an earlier proposal of $108 billion over five years. This aid would be funneled through NATO rather than being provided independently by individual allies.
According to Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper, Stoltenberg will present his request at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague. A NATO source emphasized the need to maintain the current level of support as a minimum to ensure predictability for Ukraine "for as long as necessary." The source noted that NATO members have contributed about $40 billion annually during the first two years of the war.
The $100 billion proposal stipulates that countries contribute aid proportional to their financial commitment to NATO. Given that the US funds about a quarter of NATO’s annual budget, it would contribute over half of the aid under Stoltenberg's plan, amounting to approximately $25 billion annually.
Stoltenberg is also seeking increased control over the aid distribution, proposing that all assistance be coordinated through NATO headquarters in Brussels. This move aims to ensure consistent and sustained support for Ukraine, regardless of potential shifts in individual member states' policies.
This proposal comes as NATO members are significantly increasing their support for Ukraine. Several alliance members, including the US, have authorized Ukrainian forces to use their missiles for attacks inside Russia. Additionally, countries like France are preparing to send troops to support Kyiv.
Russia has criticized NATO's increased support for Ukraine, accusing the alliance of pushing Ukraine to continue a "senseless war."
The new proposal marks a significant escalation in NATO's commitment to Ukraine, reflecting the alliance's determination to provide robust and sustained military support amidst the ongoing conflict.
