NATO members have reportedly rejected Jens Stoltenberg’s proposal to allocate €40 billion annually for Ukraine’s aid.
According to multiple media outlets, NATO member states have declined a proposal from Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to dedicate €40 billion ($43 billion) per year to aiding Ukraine. However, these nations have reportedly agreed to set aside this amount for Kiev’s needs in the upcoming year, as stated by Reuters.
Since late May, the outgoing secretary general has repeatedly urged member states to commit to long-term funding during the forthcoming NATO summit in Washington, DC, scheduled for July 9-11.
At a press conference last month, Stoltenberg stated that “allies have provided approximately €40 billion in military support to Ukraine annually” since 2022. He expressed his desire to “sustain this level of support for as long as necessary,” ensuring “fresh funding each year.”
On Wednesday, Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur, citing unnamed sources from various delegations participating in NATO consultations, reported that Stoltenberg’s proposal had been rejected due to opposition from member states.
Reuters also confirmed the rejection of Stoltenberg’s initial request, with member states simply expressing their intention to re-evaluate allied contributions at future NATO summits.
Furthermore, they committed to preparing two reports within the next year to clearly define each nation’s responsibility in terms of aid to Ukraine. This mechanism is expected to be based on the GDP of member states, with wealthier nations anticipated to bear the majority of the financial burden.
During a press conference in mid-June, Stoltenberg highlighted how the “United States took six months to agree to a supplemental for Ukraine.” He also expressed disappointment that “some of the promises made by European allies have not been fulfilled.”
“If we transform this into not voluntary contributions, but NATO commitments, it will undoubtedly become more robust and reliable,” he argued at the time.
Stoltenberg also promoted the establishment of a Security Assistance Group for Ukraine, to be based in Wiesbaden, Germany. This structure is intended to coordinate NATO’s military assistance to Ukraine, led by General Christopher Cavoli, the chief of the US European Command.
Some observers have speculated that this new infrastructure, less reliant on the US, could serve as a replacement if the existing Ramstein group begins to falter. Such concerns are understood to have been escalating within NATO as the possibility of a second Trump term in the United States becomes more likely.
The Republican candidate has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s generous aid to Kiev, vowing to end the Ukraine conflict quickly if elected.