Defence Ministers convened in Brussels on Thursday, 13 June 2024, to finalise preparations for NATO’s Washington Summit and discuss ongoing support for Ukraine, according to a press release.
In a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov briefed Allies on the current battlefield situation.
Following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his expectation that Allies will agree on a comprehensive plan for security assistance and training for Ukraine.
He proposed that Allies provide Ukraine with at least 40 billion euros in military support annually, for as long as necessary. “The paradox is that the longer we plan, and the longer we commit, the sooner Ukraine can have peace,” Stoltenberg stated.
Discussions also covered Ukraine’s potential future in NATO, with Stoltenberg highlighting Allies’ efforts to bring Ukraine “ever closer to NATO membership.” Plans were discussed to align Ukraine’s defence and security sectors with NATO standards and to improve its defence procurement processes.
Additionally, the first-ever NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap was endorsed, and preparations are underway to establish a NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC) in Poland.
On Friday, Ministers are set to discuss strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence, including a new defence industrial pledge aimed at scaling up military production. “This is our last Ministerial before the Washington Summit, so we have a lot to get done,” the Secretary General concluded.
Better planning on supplying and training Ukraine is long overdue and will hopefully prevent another situation where they got low on everything allowing the Russians to make advances and destroy key infrastructure.
NATO also needs to think about coordinating help to get key infrastructure repaired, bridges, telecoms power generation.