IRIA News

NATO defense ministers gathered in Brussels on June 13, 2024, to discuss the latest strategy for offering sustained security aid and military training to Ukraine. The meeting comes after Hungary gave a conditional assurance that it would not block the proposal to approve military aid for Ukraine.

NATO defense ministers are convened in Brussels for final high-level discussions before an upcoming summit in Washington hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden from July 9-11. During this summit, leaders of the military alliance are anticipated to unveil financial assistance measures for Ukraine.

While presiding the session, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of providing Ukraine’s embattled armed forces with consistent, foreseeable commitments regarding the types of weaponry, ammunition, and financial support they will receive in the long term.

Secretary General @jensstoltenberg wrapped up the first day of #DefMin where Defence Ministers met to finalise preparations for the upcoming #NATOSummit in 🇺🇸 Washington and discuss support for 🇺🇦 Ukraine

— NATO (@NATO) June 13, 2024

“The whole idea is to minimize the risk for gaps and delays as we saw earlier this year,” Stoltenberg told reporters following the meeting. The hold-up, he said, “is one of the reasons why the Russians are now able to push and to occupy more land in Ukraine.”

The 32-member military alliance is coordinating to devise a plan for security aid and training for Ukrainian forces. Stoltenberg expressed his hope that President Biden and other NATO leaders will agree at the Washington summit to sustain the current funding levels for military assistance to Ukraine, which have been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Stoltenberg estimates around $43 billion worth of equipment each year for Ukraine. He has been more optimistic in providing sustained security aid for Ukraine after his recent visit to Hungary. Although NATO refrains from supplying weapons or sending troops to Ukraine on the organizational level, it strongly advocates military support for Ukraine. 90% of Kyiv’s military support is provided by the NATO member states.

However, Hungary has increasingly become an obstacle to the initiatives by delaying or objecting to assistance for Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow. Under Viktor Orban’s administration, Budapest has moved away from NATO’s strong backing of Ukraine, opting instead for a relatively softer approach towards Russia. Additionally, Hungary refrains from supplying weapons to Ukraine.

In his recent meeting with the Hungarian leader earlier this week, Stoltenberg convinced Hungary to neither block nor participate in the military alliance’s deepening support for Ukraine. Orban endorsed the agreement and said that Hungary was given a guarantee that, when it comes to out-of-area operations, it does not have to participate.

Missiles for Ukraine

Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada plans to deliver 2,300 rocket motors to Ukraine, with an additional 80,000 devices currently undergoing testing. Speaking to reporters, he indicated that depending on the outcomes of these tests, Canada intends to send further shipments of these motors to Ukrainian partners in the coming days.

However, there was no announcement made regarding the Patriot-guided missile systems, which have been requested by Kyiv for several months now. The U.S.-made systems offer a crucial advantage due to their effectiveness, and Ukrainian troops are already proficient in their operation.

“I continue to work this,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters when asked about the Patriot systems. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure they have the capability they need.”

Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting

While in Europe, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The U.S.-led group comprises over 50 countries, including all NATO members. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was also present during the meeting and discussed in detail the planning of Ukraine’s defense needs.

“But the Ukrainian people remain resilient and unbowed. And Ukraine’s forces continue to impress the world with their skill and their grit,” Austin said in his opening remarks at the meeting.

“I am proud that this Contact Group has committed more than 98 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since February 2022. And this coalition continues to find innovative and sustainable ways to rush in critical capabilities to meet Ukraine’s most pressing needs,” Austin added.

We concluded another successful meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels. The international community will continue to step up to provide Ukraine the critical capabilities it needs to defend itself against Putin’s aggression. pic.twitter.com/cCtMIVyNw5

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) June 13, 2024

During his remarks, the Ukrainian Defense Minister recalled that a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the United States was to be signed at the G7 summit this week. “It is important to note that Ukraine and the USA will sign a bilateral security agreement at the G7 summit this week. This is a significant step on the way to a just peace for Ukraine,” Umerov said in his statement.

Argentina’s Defense Minister Luis Petri participated for the first time in the UDCG meeting after his country joined the international coalition in May this year. Argentina’s President Javier Milei is reportedly planning to travel to Kyiv in June, marking what could be the first visit by a South American leader to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.