Minister Bruins Slot says that NATO’s billion-dollar fund for Ukraine is still a long way off | War in Ukraine

This was said by outgoing Minister Hanke Bruins Slot (Foreign Affairs) on Wednesday. “We are really at the beginning of the process,” she told the media after a first day of consultations with her colleagues from the other 31 NATO member states.

For the first time, Sweden is fully participating in the consultations. That country recently became a member of the alliance.

Although there has not yet been an agreement on a new fund, member states have agreed to give NATO a greater role in Ukraine. NATO wants to coordinate military support. “That is a logical consequence of the fact that the conflict will last longer,” Bruins Slot said.

So far, countries individually provide military aid to Ukraine. This support is coordinated by the so-called Ramstein consultations led by the United States.

NATO did not want to do that to prevent escalation with Russia. Bruins Slot sees no turn from NATO in this and emphasizes that it is not about sending soldiers.

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Because the battle will last much longer, stable and long-term aid for Ukraine is needed, Bruins Slot said. NATO can ensure that. That gives Ukraine more security. It is not a matter of preparing for a return of Donald Trump as president of the United States, the minister said. Trump is very critical of NATO.

Hungary has stated that it has concerns about NATO’s move. Budapest is often obstructive when it comes to support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed the expectation that he will be able to address Hungary’s concerns in the coming weeks.

Things are not going well for Ukraine at the front. NATO’s desire for a more active role is also a “reflection of the seriousness on the battlefield,” Stoltenberg said. The Russians conquer Ukrainian territory again. Kyiv has a major shortage of ammunition, including artillery shells and air defense.

NATO ministers are meeting in Brussels to celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary. Bruins Slot also said he sees increasing support for the candidacy of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte to succeed Stoltenberg as NATO boss. 28 of the 32 countries now support Rutte. Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey still have to agree.

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