NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on Thursday for an annual aid commitment of €40 billion for Ukraine “for as long as necessary” to restore peace there.
Speaking during a meeting of defence ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Brussels, Stoltenberg also expressed the hope that NATO member States would agree on an aid plan for Ukraine on Friday, the ministers' final meeting before the alliance's summit in Washington D.C. in July.
Stoltenberg said delays in the provision of military support to Ukraine had "made a difference on the battlefield." He added that this was "one of the reasons why the Russians are now able to push and to actually occupy more land in Ukraine.”
"The good news is that Allies are stepping up," the NATO chief said, "but Ukraine needs predictable support for the long term."
The day’s discussions centred around ongoing initiatives to bring Kyiv closer to potential NATO membership. Topics included aligning Ukraine’s defence with NATO standards and strengthening its military industrial base.
The two-day meeting aims to secure approval for an assistance plan for Ukraine, focussing on troop training and security. Member States are also expected to sign off on a fresh commitment to boost military production and industrial cooperation within NATO.
“Tomorrow, I expect ministers will approve the plan for NATO security assistance and training for Ukraine, a key deliverable for the NATO summit," Stoltenberg said.
