NATO chief Mark Rutte seeks a 0.25% GDP pledge for Ukraine aid, while France and the UK reportedly question the plan’s chances, according to Politico.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is pushing allies to commit 0.25% of their GDP each year to supporting Ukraine, Politico reported, citing diplomatic sources.
According to the outlet’s interlocutors, Rutte raised the proposal in late April during a closed-door meeting of NATO ambassadors. One diplomat said the secretary general and several alliance representatives want to make assistance to Ukraine more consistent and predictable.
The idea, however, is far from settled. Politico’s sources said France and the United Kingdom reacted skeptically to Rutte’s proposal, making it less likely that the plan will move forward in its current form. The outlet estimated that, if adopted, the initiative could triple annual aid to Ukraine, bringing it to around $143 billion.
Moscow argues that continued arms deliveries to Kiev obstruct a peaceful settlement and draw NATO countries directly into the armed conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously stated that any weapons shipments intended for Kiev, as well as NATO military personnel in the conflict zone, would be treated as legitimate targets by the Russian Armed Forces.