BRUSSELS: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed confidence on Tuesday that the United States would continue delivering weapons to Ukraine despite political challenges in Washington.
The United States has contributed over $40 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion and has committed to supporting Kyiv for as long as needed. However, opposition from staunch Republicans has raised uncertainties about the future of US assistance.
“I’m confident that the United States will continue to provide support because it is in the security interest of Washington to do so and is also in line with what we have agreed,” stated Stoltenberg during a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
Growing concerns surround the continuity of Western support for Ukraine, especially as Kyiv’s top general acknowledged that intense fighting has reached a “stalemate.”
The European Union is currently grappling with internal discord over a long-term plan to support Ukraine’s military efforts, with Hungary opposing the initiative.
NATO Allies to Continue Supporting Ukraine
Stoltenberg urged NATO allies to continue delivering support, highlighting the recent pledges of 10 billion euros ($11 billion) by Germany and the Netherlands.
Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins emphasized the need for Ukraine to receive more “long-range missiles to impede Russia’s logistic capabilities,” stressing the direct interest in supporting Ukraine to prevent Russia from winning the war.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to join the meeting on Wednesday, where NATO members are expected to agree on a reform plan aimed at assisting Ukraine on its path toward potential NATO membership. Despite Ukraine’s aspirations, the US-led alliance has yet to extend a formal invitation, despite assurances that Kyiv will eventually join its ranks.
