40 billion for Kiev – NATO protects aid to Ukraine from Donald Trump

At the end of the summit, the heads of state and government will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday. After that, US President Joe Biden wants to appear before the press as the summit’s host.

The allies have not invited Ukraine to join, but their summit statement said they see the country on an “irreversible path” to membership.

Stoltenberg sees clear messages
NATO’s statement on Ukraine’s “irreversible” path to the alliance is a clear sign of commitment, Stoltenberg said at a news conference in Washington on Wednesday. “This is a clear message from NATO allies that we really want Ukraine to join and that we will work with Ukraine to achieve this goal.”

The 40 billion euros for Kiev should flow “within next year”. From the NATO summit in The Hague next year, the member states want to examine whether new commitments are necessary.

All funds that have flowed since January 1, 2024 are taken into account. According to diplomats, Germany will not face new demands. Berlin had already promised Kiev eight billion euros for this year. NATO partners have also started delivering long-promised F-16 fighter jets to Kiev.

Aid is being made Trump-proof
According to Stoltenberg, the heads of state and government have also decided on a plan that would guarantee aid to Ukraine even if Donald Trump wins the US presidential election. NATO wants to coordinate its arms deliveries to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Europe from a new headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany. A three-star general will command it and 700 people will be under his command. This means that the Europeans will take over more responsibility from the US.

President Zelensky did not receive the invitation to join Ukraine in Washington that he had hoped for. The main reason is the fear of the US and Germany for a confrontation with Russia.

How is Biden doing?
After the NATO-Ukraine Council, US President Biden wants to appear before the press as host of the summit. The appearance is eagerly awaited. Since his poor performance in the televised duel against Trump about two weeks ago, the 81-year-old has been facing calls to withdraw from the presidential race. He rarely answers unscripted questions from journalists.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also wants to speak out after the summit. In Washington, he expressed his willingness to take on more responsibility in NATO in the event of a Trump victory in the US presidential election in November. For Germany, as the largest European NATO country, he assured: “I will live up to this responsibility.”

Beijing angry over final statement
NATO expressed “deep concern” about China’s close ties with Russia. In their statement, the 32 member states called China a “critical accomplice” in Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Beijing has yet to publicly condemn the war and continues to supply Moscow with civilian and military goods.

Stoltenberg spoke of the “strongest message” yet to the People’s Republic to reconsider its position. Any sanctions are a matter for individual member states. On Thursday, the heads of state and government will meet partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Australia and South Korea.

China responded with sharp criticism. The statement was full of “aggressive rhetoric” and the content about China included provocations, “lies, incitement and slander,” a spokesman for the Chinese mission to the European Union said on Thursday. “As we all know, China did not cause the crisis in Ukraine.” NATO’s statements are likely to further strain already tense relations between China and the transatlantic defense alliance.