WASHINGTON: The US President Joe Biden and leaders of other NATO member states are poised to unveil new aid and reiterate a membership pledge for Ukraine at a summit in Washington after the US leader vowed to defend Kyiv against Russia’s invasion.
A draft communique prepared for the meeting of the 32-nation alliance said the allies intend to provide Ukraine with minimum funding of 40 billion euros ($43.28 billion) in military aid within the next year, but stopped short of the multi-year commitment NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had sought.
The draft seen by Reuters also strengthened past NATO language on China, calling it a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and saying Beijing continues to pose systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security.
Stoltenberg told reporters he expected allies will agree a “substantial” package for Ukraine and would expand other partnerships particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
He said the package would involve a new NATO command for Ukraine to provide security assistance and training, and a long-term pledge to continue and sustain support for Kyiv. NATO members have already announced the delivery of five additional Patriot and other strategic air defence systems to help Ukraine.