The decision will be made at the summit in Washington. NATO will take on a greater role in coordinating the supply of weapons to Ukraine, taking over from the United States to protect the aid mechanism, as support for Ukraine could be jeopardized if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election.
"These efforts do not make NATO a party to the conflict but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defense," said Stoltenberg.
Read also: NATO reportedly wants to coordinate arms supplies to Ukraine instead of US
The Ramstein format group to support Ukraine will continue to exist as a political forum led by the United States, but NATO will take over the military working level, which coordinates the supply of weapons and training of Ukrainian troops.
This move is widely seen as an attempt to provide some "protection from Trump." Thus, the initiative will be placed under NATO's auspices, giving the Alliance a more direct role in the war against Russian invasion without having to deploy its own armed forces.
But diplomats acknowledge that such a move could have limited effect, as the United States is the dominant power in NATO and supplies most of Ukraine's weapons. Therefore, if Washington wanted to cut Western aid to Kyiv, it could still do so.
Donald Trump's statements on NATO
During his speech in South Carolina on Feb. 10, Trump said that he would "encourage" Russia to attack NATO member states that he believes do not contribute enough to defense.
According to Trump, “One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?’”
“No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills.”
In response to Trump's statement, U.S. President Joe Biden called former President Donald Trump "Putin's useful lackey."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also responded to Trump's statement, saying that such statements "undermine NATO's security."
French European Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Jan. 10 that back in 2020, Donald Trump warned the European Union that America would not come to the rescue if Europe were to be attacked militarily.
According to the European Commissioner, the former U.S. leader also said that "NATO is dead" and the United States would leave the Alliance. Trump, according to Breton, expressed claims to Germany, which allegedly underpaid $400 billion in defense contributions.
The New York Times wrote on Dec. 9, 2023, that Europe fears that Donald Trump's second presidency could lead to the actual withdrawal of the United States from NATO and the destruction of the Alliance.
Trump has previously stated that NATO "wastes American resources." When he was president of the United States, he repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from the Alliance.
The U.S. Congress passed a bill in December 2023 that prohibits the president from unilaterally terminating the country's participation in the Alliance.
Read also: Trump ally criticizes Cameron's push for Ukraine support in US
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Богуслав Романенко
