Highlights: NATO agrees on direct aid to Ukraine in the long term. 32 NATO foreign ministers are meeting for two days at the headquarters of the Atlantic Alliance in Brussels. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, they decided this Wednesday to take over Ramstein's group to support Ukraine. The members of the alliance are expected this Thursday to discuss a proposal for a fund for Ukraine of 100 billion euros over five years, an objective which aims to preserve kyiv from political changes in Washington.

The 32 NATO foreign ministers are meeting for two days at the headquarters of the Atlantic Alliance in Brussels. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, they decided this Wednesday…

NATO agrees on direct aid to Ukraine in the long term

The 32 NATO foreign ministers are meeting for two days at the headquarters of the Atlantic Alliance in Brussels. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, they decided this Wednesday to take over, in the long term, the direct aid provided to Ukraine by the contact group, known as the Ramstein group, whose management is exclusively ensured for the moment by the United States. But the prospect of this American support being called into question in the event of Donald Trump's return to the White House pushes the allies to now want to ensure this military support together.

NATO foreign ministers pose during their meeting alongside Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, April 3, 2024. AFP - JOHANNA GERON

By: RFI Follow

This Thursday morning, a ceremony at NATO headquarters will mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty or Washington Treaty, reports

our correspondent in Brussels

Pierre Benazet

. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the war in Ukraine returns the Alliance to the old confrontation with Russia. This is why the allies

decided this Wednesday

to prepare to take over Ramstein's group to support Ukraine.

“

As we celebrate NATO's achievements over the past 75 years, we do not rest on them,”

explained Jens Stoltenberg.

Europe is today faced with a war on a scale that we thought was history. Strengthening NATO's role in coordination and support is therefore a way to end this war in such a way that Ukraine wins. 99% of support for Ukraine comes from NATO allies, but there is a need to

give this support a
stronger institutional framework to ensure predictability and long-term commitment.

At the start of the war, the allies did not want to entrust NATO with direct military support for Ukraine for fear of provoking an escalation on the part of Russia; NATO is therefore now committed to the logic of confrontation. Especially since Donald Trump's possible return to business in the United States is worrying.

The Republican candidate has already announced that he may not come to the aid of deadbeats who do not devote 2% of their national wealth to defense. Doubt hangs over the solidarity of members in the event of an attack. And the concern is all the greater since the United States represents the backbone of the Alliance, points out Guillaume Garnier, researcher at Ifri.

“

The United States represents 70% of NATO military spending. If they ever left NATO, it would be another organization. It would change its nature. That would be the nightmare scenario. Will it come true if Trump is actually elected? There will be debates and probably a certain number of institutions will dissuade him from doing so...

The members of the alliance are expected this Thursday to discuss a proposal for a fund for Ukraine of 100 billion euros over five years, an objective which aims, diplomats say, precisely to preserve kyiv from political changes in Washington.

NATO agrees on direct aid to Ukraine in the long term

NATO agrees on direct aid to Ukraine in the long term

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