NATO leaders have agreed to provide a minimum of €40 billion a year for Ukraine by 2025, a move proposed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and announced the creation of a mechanism to coordinate both military support and training for Kiev.
“Through proportional contributions, Allies aim to provide a minimum of €40 billion in funding over the next year and deliver sustainable levels of security assistance to help Ukraine succeed,” said a statement from NATO leaders.
The aim is to contribute to the creation of “a force capable of defeating” Russia and “deterring” it from new conflicts in the future. “The heads of state and government will re-evaluate the contributions of the allies at future NATO summits,” they concluded.
Specifically, the amount relates to the purchase of military equipment; maintenance, logistics and transportation costs; military training expenses, as well as investments in Ukraine’s defence infrastructure.
They also stressed that they “fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from external interference.” “Ukraine’s future lies in NATO,” they added.
The leaders reiterated that they will continue to support Kiev “on its irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.” “We reaffirm that we will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when the Allies agree and the conditions are met,” they stressed, referring to the merit-based reform process that the country must undertake.
NATO leaders have reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment to Ukraine as a sovereign, democratic and independent state.” “Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine has shattered peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region and seriously undermined global security,” they said.
On the other hand, they have announced the creation of the so-called Security Assistance and Training Unit (NSATU) to coordinate the supply of military and training equipment to kyiv by allies and partners.
In the statement, the leaders welcomed the fact that more than two-thirds of the allies “have met their commitment to spend at least 2 percent of annual GDP on defense.” “We reaffirm that, in many cases, spending in excess of 2 percent of GDP will be necessary to remedy existing deficiencies,” they said.
MENTIONS OF CHINA, BELARUS AND IRAN
The statement includes a mention of Belarus, which continues to consent to the use of its territory and infrastructure for the war in Ukraine. “Russia’s deepening of Belarus’ political and military integration, including the deployment of military capabilities and personnel, has negative implications for regional stability and the defense of the Alliance,” they argued.
On the other hand, the Alliance leaders have pointed out that “Iran’s destabilising actions affect Euro-Atlantic security”, while China’s “declared ambitions and coercive policies” continue to challenge NATO’s interests, security and values.
“The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the People’s Republic of China and their attempts to undermine and reshape the mutually reinforcing rules-based international order are a cause for deep concern,” they said.
Similarly, the leaders of the Alliance, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, have focused on “hybrid, cyber, space and other threats” as well as “malicious activities by state and non-state actors.”