In recent days, NATO's budget has been a source of controversy. That is, precisely, one of the main issues for the ministers of the military alliance, meeting in Brussels. 10 years ago, the member countries agreed to contribute 2% of their GDP to the organization, however, not all have been able to fulfill their promise, to which Donald Trump threatened to withdraw his support if he won the presidency of the United States this year. . This is a key meeting, where Ukraine occupies a great role.
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A new NATO-Ukraine meeting takes place in Brussels and hopes to end with decision-making, mainly regarding the allies' budget and the production of its own munitions for defense against the Russian invasion, which is on the eve of completing two years of have started.
The meeting is the first of the year and is held by NATO Defense Ministers. A forum in which the latest events of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are analyzed and in which the two parties participate as equals.
“We continue to help Ukraine move closer to NATO standards in all areas, from procurement to logistics, and allies continue to make important deliveries of weapons, equipment and ammunition,” said Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the military organization. .
Stoltenberg assures that, thanks to the support of the allies, Ukraine has recovered half of the territory that was taken by Russia during the war and has managed to develop an important corridor through the Black Sea.
The Secretary General stressed that the Russian Forces “are suffering significant losses,” but regretted that Ukraine has not made important achievements during the counteroffensive it launched last summer.
However, Stoltenberg stressed that, in recent months, the Ukrainian Forces have achieved the destruction of Russian command and control posts, as well as weapons and ammunition warehouses and mentioned direct attacks on Russian territory.
Over the past few months, NATO has agreed to contracts worth $10 billion for the production of its own ammunition. While in Germany construction has begun on a new arms factory, with the capacity to produce 200,000 artillery shells a year, Stoltenberg said.
The NATO budget, a key issue at the summit
The ministers discuss one of the most critical issues that has caused divisions in recent months: the organization's budget, from which 18 of the 31 member countries are expected to allocate 2% of their GDP during 2024, recalled Jens Stoltenberg .
“In 2024, NATO allies in Europe will invest a combined total of US$380 billion in defense. For the first time, this is equivalent to 2% of their combined GDP,” he highlighted.
A commitment that was assumed in 2014, when the member countries met and agreed on the amount they would contribute to defense annually. However, during the last summit in Vilnius (Lithuania), it was clarified that not everyone could contribute the same amount.
Just five days ago, former president and re-election candidate Donald Trump referred to the issue and warned that, if he returns to the White House, he will refuse to protect those countries that do not comply with their contribution of 2% of their GDP to the military organization.
The Republican candidate added that not only would he take away their defense, but that, in the event that Russia were the invader, he would encourage him to “do whatever he wants” with the countries that do not comply with the economic agreement.
NATO Secretary Issues Warning to the United States
Stoltenberg regretted the delay by the US Congress in approving a new million-dollar military aid package for Ukraine, in addition to ensuring that the first consequences are already beginning to be seen on the ground.
The United States Senate has already approved a $95 billion billof which more than half (60,000) have been destined for Ukraine.
The budget was achieved with the vote of Democrats and some Republicans, but the House of Representatives will now be in charge of approving the initiative in its entirety. According to Stoltenberg, this is an “investment” in NATO's own security.
“We already see the impact of the fact that the United States has not been able to make a decision, but I hope that it is able to do so, that Congress and the House of Representatives agree to continued support for Ukraine,” declared the NATO leader .
He added that if they allow Russia to win the war, it would be a triumph for Vladimir Putin and a “tragedy,” not only for the Ukrainians, but also for the bloc of NATO allies.
The United Kingdom asked the United States for agility
The British Foreign Minister, David Cameron, also referred to the issue and urged Washington to approve the economic aid plan for Ukraine, ensuring that it is not a “European issue.”
Cameron spoke jointly with Bulgaria's Foreign Affairs representative, Radoslaw Sikorski, after a meeting in which they reminded their “American friends of the importance of their allies.”
Ukraine's security is our security.
As allies, the UK & US fight aggression.
We stand up for freedom. We stick by our friends. And we win.
I urge the US Congress to continue its proud support for Ukraine's fight against Putin's aggression.https://t.co/ill75SflZA
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) February 14, 2024
The British minister also referred to the fact that countries, such as China and Iran, “monitor” NATO's actions, which is why he called for strong results.
With EFE and local media
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