€100 billion plan for Ukraine: NATO demands clarity from Stoltenberg - Politico
Date: 2024-05-27 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: MILITARY ASSISTANCE
NATO allies are demanding that outgoing chief Jens Stoltenberg this week make clearer his plan to pledge a massive 100 billion euros in support for Ukraine, Politico writes.
The proposal, part of the NATO secretary general's plan to "Trump-proof" Kyiv's financial support if the Ukraine-skeptic former US president is re-elected in November, remains a hot-button issue among alliance members.
Behind the scenes, even some of Ukraine's closest Eastern European allies have become more reticent about the plan in recent weeks, questioning where and how such a huge sum of money will be raised with just a few weeks left before the July meeting of NATO leaders in Washington .
"The plan is a little confusing," said the Eastern European official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
He added that countries expect Stoltenberg to provide more clarity during the Prague meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
“It remains to be seen whether NATO’s ‘European heavyweights’ Germany and France will support this plan. Paris has chosen to keep defense spending within the EU rather than NATO, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not want to spend more than has already been allocated,” writes Politico.
Another official, also from a Ukraine-friendly country, said he "wouldn't be surprised" if the 100 billion euro figure was eventually revised, but predicted allies would have to find ways to show concrete support for Kyiv.
Two other officials familiar with the discussions confirmed that negotiations were ongoing, particularly regarding the amount of money and how it would be distributed.
A fifth official warned that while ministers and Stoltenberg would discuss details at the Prague meeting, no formal decisions would be made given the "informal" nature of the meeting.
