The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, emphasized the necessity of maintaining substantial military aid to Ukraine, aiming for a minimum of 40 billion euros per year. This was stated during a press conference following an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague and reflects the ongoing need to support Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, which began in February 2022. The aid provided over the last year has already reached the 40 billion euro mark.
Jens Stoltenberg proposed an equitable burden-sharing mechanism among NATO allies to sustain the aid, potentially based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of each country. This approach follows previous suggestions like Estonia's, which proposed that each nation contribute at least 0.25% of its GDP to assist Ukraine, totaling approximately 140 billion euros annually.
The debate about Ukraine's usage of Western-supplied weapons on Russian territory is escalating. NATO and several EU states are discussing the potential for Ukraine to launch attacks on Russian soil to alleviate pressure on its defenses. Anton Hofreiter, a German Green Party politician, supported removing restrictions on weapon use for Ukraine, arguing that international law permits such actions for self-defense.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany has been hesitant to support this approach, citing the risk of Germany being drawn directly into the conflict. Nevertheless, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, along with other politicians, insists that it is legitimate for Ukraine to defend itself by targeting Russian military positions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has continued to request the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles from Germany, arguing they are essential for dismantling Russian logistics and resources. Despite Germany's refusal, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the comprehensive military support already provided by Germany.
There are also broader calls for an EU defense fund, as suggested by Hofreiter, which would see Europe collectively investing approximately 500 billion euros to bolster defense structures and infrastructure. This fund would not only secure Europe's defense but also improve critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways, which are crucial for national defense capabilities.
- Several NATO countries continue supporting Ukraine with high levels of military aid due to the ongoing delays in delivering arms and ammunition promised by Western allies. These countries believe maintaining and enhancing this support is critical as Ukraine faces significant challenges on the battlefield.
- Countries like the United Kingdom have already lifted restrictions about the use of their supplied weapons against Russian military targets, aligning with the stance taken by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. This is seen as aligning with self-defense principles enshrined in the UN Charter, which allows Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression.
- Stoltenberg’s proposal for an equitable distribution of financial aid among NATO members based on GDP could ensure a steady flow of support for Ukraine without disproportionately burdening any single nation. Such a system aims to sustain long-term military aid more effectively and equitably among all alliance members.
