Nato to plan long-term military support for Ukraine

BRUSSELS: Nato allies agreed on Wednesday to initiate planning on long-term military support for Ukraine, but a proposal by Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to do so via a 100 billion-euro ($107 billion) five-year fund drew mixed responses.

Ministers said such a fund would not be easy to put together. Ukraine said it would be welcome, but needed to be fresh money.

“We need to shift the dynamics of our support,” Stoltenberg said. “We must ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine for the long haul ... less on short-term offers and more on multi-year pledges.”

Stoltenberg’s proposal would also give the Western alliance a more direct role in coordinating the supply of arms, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion.

Under the plans, Nato would take over some coordination work from a US-led ad-hoc coalition known as the Ramstein group - a move designed in part to guard against any cut in US support if Donald Trump returns to the White House, diplomats said.

Stoltenberg said the aim was for a decision to be taken at a July summit of Nato member states’ leaders. Nato decisions require consensus among its 32 members.

Until now, Nato as an organisation has focused on non-lethal aid for Ukraine out of fears that a more direct role could trigger an escalation of tensions with Russia.

Its members have provided billions of dollars in arms on a bilateral basis. Initial reactions from across the alliance signalled a decision would require some work.