NATO to finalize agreement giving alliance greater control over military aid to Ukraine

NATO defense ministers are expected to finalize an agreement on Friday that will give the alliance greater control over security assistance and training for Ukraine’s military, in an attempt some officials say is meant to give Europe greater responsibility over the aid amid uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential election this fall.

NATO defense ministers are expected to finalize an agreement on Friday that will give the alliance greater control over security assistance and training for Ukraine’s military, an attempt some officials say is meant to give Europe greater responsibility over the aid amid uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential election this fall. The possibility that former President Donald Trump, who has long been skeptical of providing US military support to NATO and Europe, could win the election “is a huge part” of why NATO is moving forward with the consolidation plan, said one official familiar with the discussions. It is also a way to give Europe more responsibility over the training and equipping of Ukraine as the extent of the US’ commitment to supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia after the election remains unclear, the official said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the intent in a news conference on Thursday, saying NATO provides “more than 99% of all military support to Ukraine … so it makes sense that NATO takes on a greater role in these efforts.” “This will put our support on a firmer footing, provide predictability for Kyiv, and address both immediate and long-term needs,” Stoltenberg said. Earlier in the day on Thursday, Stoltenberg said the “whole idea” of the new framework was to “minimize the risk for gaps and delays” — particularly after a months-long delay by the US in providing additional security aid had real negative impacts on Ukraine’s ability to fight Russia. “[T]he whole idea is to minimize the risk for gaps and delays as we saw earlier this year, because the gaps in delays in both the provision of military support from the United States but also from several European allies, made a difference on the battlefield,” he said. “It is one of the reasons why the Russians are now able to push and to actually occupy more land in Ukraine.”