Stoltenberg seeks 100 billion euros for Ukraine for five years

Coalition Chief Jens Stoltenberg's proposal urged them to guarantee long-term weapons supplies to Kiev. NATO is also discussing the possibility that a coalition mission would receive more control over co-ordinating Kiev's weapons supply by a group led by the United States that currently does.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg opened the two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, while the alliance has announced it has suggested a five-year plan for Ukraine worth 100 billion euros.

Before the meeting, Mr. Stoltenberg called for NATO members, particularly the United States, to speed up the military aid distribution location.

The United States is the largest ally and is providing the largest military support. The fact that there was no agreement at the U.S. Congress on continuing military support for Ukraine has consequences”, said Mr. Stoltenberg.

US assistance of $60 billion to Ukraine has been blocked in the House of Representatives, but there is hope that lawmakers can take steps to approve it in the coming weeks.

The plan suggested by Mr. Stoltenberg could change until the NATO summit, to be held in July in Washington.

The plan was supported by the most determined members in favour of Ukraine, such as Poland and the Baltic states.

Other countries were especially cautious about providing funds requested by Mr. Stoltenberg.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, who is attending the Nato meeting, in an interview for Reuters news agency, said Ukraine urgently needs 5 to 7 air defence systems from the arsenal of 100 that have states supporting Ukraine. If that does not happen, Mr. Culeba warned the spread of war throughout Europe.

When I say that Europe will be at war and the missiles will fall on Brussels and other European cities, I do not exaggerate. All this will happen if Ukraine does not win the fight against Russia. So, the best way to save your system... and your soldiers from the dead... is to send some of them to Ukraine... and give them to Ukrainian soldiers... whatever they need, say Mr. Culeba.

Mr. Stoltenberg's plan also suggests that the co-ordination of Kiev's weapons supply, pass a European mission within NATO, by the group led by the United States and that does so now.

NATO officials say it creates security for sending weapons to Ukraine in the event of a possible return of Mr. Donald Trump to the White House.

The two-day meeting will also focus on increasing European defence capacities, since Mr. Trump has said that if he returns to the White House, he would condition American support to NATO is increasing its budgetary defence expenditures by European countries.

For us as Europeans, this means first to strengthen the European pillar within this transatlantic alliance. Germany this year will spend 2.1% of gross domestic production for this purpose”, German Foreign Minister Annalena Backback said prior to the meeting.

Meeting in Brussels held while NATO on Thursday marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment. NATO was founded after World War II to face the threat of the Soviet Union.

Russia said Wednesday that NATO has returned to the mentality of the Cold War. / VOA