US allies consider transferring control of Ukraine Defense Contact Group to NATO amid concerns of Trump presidency – Politico

The United States and other Western nations are currently discussing the possibility of handing over control of a multinational group led by the US [the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, so-called meetings in the Ramstein format – ed.], which oversees the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. This is one of a few new suggestions that could help keep arms flowing to Kyiv if Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Politico writes about this with reference to three European and one American officials familiar with the internal negotiations.

Bringing the group to NATO would be a significant step toward cementing Western support for the war in Ukraine for the foreseeable future amid European fears of Trump's return to the White House.

According to experts, the official establishment of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group within NATO would provide significant protection for Ukraine's support, particularly against potential shifts in the governments of the US and other Western countries, particularly under Trump.

"There is an opinion, not of the whole group, but of part of the NATO group, that it is better to institutionalize the process in case of Trump's re-election," former Pentagon and NATO official, Jim Townsend, said.

He added that "putting this issue under NATO's control insulates it to a certain extent from the Trump presidency or even from the United States, which may turn to China or fail to cope with financing."

As noted in the publication, during the meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member countries in Brussels on April 3-4, officials are expected to discuss several options, including the gradual transfer of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group under the control of the Alliance.

The goal, one official said, is to complete the process at a summit of NATO leaders in Washington in July.

According to another US official, a separate proposal is to grant NATO a more formalized presence at the negotiating table in Ramstein rather than placing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group under alliance authority. The official stressed that the goal from the US perspective is to bolster the bond between NATO and Ukraine to offer sustained assistance.

As he noted, discussions on NATO's participation in the Ramstein format are taking place "at a very high level" to formalize Kyiv's support from Europe and the Alliance. The official added that one of the considerations on the eve of the elections in the US and Europe is the need to make the group "more stable."

Major Charlie Dietz, a spokesman for the Defense Department, refused to confirm the talks. He stated that the department has no new updates or announcements regarding the group's format or structure.

"We are constantly discussing how we can ensure the stability of our support to Ukraine and how we can organize this support in the best way," the American officer said.

If successful, the move would be the latest in a series of measures aimed at supporting institutions ahead of Trump's next presidency. Last year, lawmakers approved legislation requiring congressional approval if a future president were to try to withdraw from NATO and are considering further safeguards.

For reference:

As reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposes to create a fund of allied contributions in the amount of 100 billion dollars over five years for Ukraine as part of a package to be signed by the leaders of the member countries of the Alliance at the summit in Washington.

In addition, British Foreign Minister David Cameron plans to call on members of the North Atlantic Alliance 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.