Today's Edition
MOHAMMAD GHAZAL (WASHINGTON, DC)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said allies agreed a major financial pledge to Ukraine with a minimum baseline of 40 billion euros within the next year.
Allies have also agreed to launch NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine with a command in Germany, logistic hubs in the eastern part of the Alliance, and around 700 personnel, Stoltenberg said during a press conference at the conclusion of the NATO Summit, which this year marks the 75th anniversary since its foundation.
“NATO will coordinate the training of Ukrainian forces at facilities in Allied countries, plan and coordinate the provision of donations, manage the transfer and repair of equipment and provide support to the long-term development of Ukraine's forces,” he said.
“We will review this level at forthcoming Summits to ensure that our support continues to meet Ukraine's needs,” he said, stressing that Europeans are more than matching the overall US support for Ukraine.
“Allies have provided Ukraine with unprecedented support including tens of billions of euros in military aid… NATO will take over the coordination and provision of most international security assistance,” Stoltenberg said.
The pledge will ensure greater burden sharing of military support too. It will also provide Ukraine the reliable support it needs, Stoltenberg added.
Allies have made further announcements of immediate military aid including critical air defence, and more Allies have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine bringing the total to more than 20.
“We have taken further steps to deepen Ukraine's interoperability with NATO, bolster Ukraine's defence industry and enhance cooperation on innovation,” said the NATO chief.
The Allies have also agreed to establish NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre in Poland, according to Stoltenberg.
Over the past days, Allies have pledged crucial additional military aid, including for air defence and other critical capabilities, he said, adding that NATO will work more closely with Ukraine including through a new NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Poland.
