NATO To Oversee Military Aid and Training for Ukraine
NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg (L) & German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R), June 14, 2024. Photo: X/ @UlrichAlois1
June 14, 2024 Hour: 9:38 am
The plan involves NATO taking over the direction of U.S. facilities in Wiesbaden and Germany.
On Friday, the Defense Ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreed on a plan for the Alliance to lead the coordination of the military aid Ukraine is receiving.
RELATED:
Hungary Not To Participate in NATO Efforts in Ukraine: Orban
“These efforts do not make NATO a part of the conflict. But they will strengthen our support for Ukraine to ensure its right to self-defense is respected,” NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said at the end of the two-day ministerial meeting in Brussels.
He also indicated that this new operations plan will be launched by NATO leaders at the meeting they will hold in Washington from July 9 to 11.
“NATO’s security assistance and training will provide Ukraine with better-coordinated support and greater cohesion between short- and long-term needs,” Stoltenberg said, adding that the Alliance wants to ensure long-term interoperability with the Ukrainian Army.
Specifically, the plan involves NATO taking over the direction of U.S. facilities in Wiesbaden, Germany, and logistical nodes in the eastern part of the Alliance. All of this will be under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), U.S. General Christopher G. Cavoli. Stoltenberg stated that this effort will involve about 700 NATO and partner country personnel.
The Alliance will oversee the training of Ukrainian armed forces at allied countries’ training facilities, support Ukraine through planning and coordination of donations, manage the transfer and repair of equipment, and provide long-term development support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Stoltenberg also indicated that NATO’s aid to Ukraine will be one of the main outcomes of the meeting to be held in Washington, where allies are expected to finalize a long-term financial commitment to Ukraine and take new steps toward the incorporation of that European country into the Alliance.
So far, NATO countries have offered annual support of 40 billion euros to Ukraine. However, Stoltenberg clarified that “there is still no agreement” among allies on the financial commitment.
Source: EFE
teleSUR/ JF
