NATO ministers to discuss long-term support for Ukraine – Stoltenberg

Photo: Europa Press

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A key topic on the agenda for NATO foreign ministers is reforming the system to provide Ukraine with weapons, ammunition, and military equipment. This includes shifting from individual contributions by member countries to joint responsibilities within the North Atlantic Alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated this today before the start of the North Atlantic Council meeting at the level of foreign ministers, according to Ukrinform.

"Ukraine has urgent needs. Any delays in delivering aid have consequences on the battlefield right now. So, we need to clarify the dynamics of our support. We must ensure reliable and predictable security assistance for Ukraine for an extended period.

So, we must rely less on voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments. Focus less on short-term proposals and more on long-term commitments," Stoltenberg emphasized.

It should be noted that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposes to create a fund of allies' contributions worth $100 billion over five years for Ukraine within the framework of the package that the leaders of the Alliance should sign in July in Washington.

British Foreign Minister David Cameron plans to call on NATO members to jointly purchase shells and missiles for Ukraine and increase defense spending, production, and services in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and threats to international stability.

The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, emphasized the importance of preparing a roadmap for Ukraine's accession to NATO.

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It should be noted that on April 3-4, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, will hold talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell.

Kuleba will also meet with the foreign ministers of Great Britain, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary and New Zealand.

A scheduled meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council will be held on Thursday, April 4.

"Key attention will be paid to increasing military aid to Ukraine, strengthening our country's air defense, and increasing weapons production capacity.

President Zelensky's Peace Formula, the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs, and other pressing issues will also be key topics discussed in the meetings," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Kuleba's visit will take place during the Council of Foreign Ministers of NATO countries dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, which will be the first such meeting for Sweden as a full member.