NATO Pledges Multi-Year Military Aid Commitment to Ukraine but Is Divided on Implementation

Several NATO allies are hesitant to agree to a specific multi-year spending commitment on military aid for Ukraine, intended to provide Kyiv with greater predictability in the long run, reports Bloomberg.

Initially supportive of NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg’s proposal to spend at least €40 billion ($42.7 billion) annually on aid for Ukraine, nations are now divided on implementation details for future years, according to sources familiar with NATO discussions.

While meeting the €40 billion target for this year is feasible — with the US alone exceeding it with a $60 billion package — political and legal challenges in some capitals suggest annual reassessment based on battlefield developments may be necessary, sources said. Some allies prefer not to formalize the pledge with a specific figure and instead promise sustained support at current levels.

The multi-year plan, introduced in late May and slated for presentation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Washington in early July, replaces an earlier idea of a $100 billion commitment over five years. Stoltenberg's revised proposal aligns with average annual contributions since Russia's 2022 invasion.

Alongside enhancing predictability, the pledge could also encourage hesitant nations to increase their contributions to aid Ukraine.

The NATO summit scheduled in Washington from July 9-11 aims to consolidate allied efforts in supporting Ukraine's long-term success. Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO's commitment to training and assisting Ukraine in security matters, anticipating further announcements of increased military support.