NATO member states have pledged to support Ukraine’s bid to join the Alliance. At the same time, the ex-Soviet republic will receive tens of billions of EUR in aid in 2025.
On the sidelines of the anniversary summit in Washington, NATO decided to continue the integration process of the Ukrainian army and approved an assistance package worth 40 bln EUR for 2025. At the same time, the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands, long requested by Kyiv, is underway. Also, Ukraine will receive 5 new Patriot systems donated by the United States, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Romania. They will be used to help protect Ukrainian cities, civilians and soldiers. At the same time, NATO announced the establishment of the Security Assistance and Training Mission for Ukraine (NSATU), which will coordinate the supply of military equipment and training for the former Soviet republic by allied and partner states, as well as a new training center in Poland. NATO leaders adopted the final resolution of the summit, according to which Ukraine’s path to NATO is “irreversible”. The document shows that the Alliance supports the NATO accession of Ukraine, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said. “Ukraine’s future is in NATO. Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance. We welcome the concrete progress Ukraine has made since the Vilnius Summit on its required democratic, economic, and security reforms. As Ukraine continues this vital work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership”, the final statement reads. Romania’s president Klaus Johannis in turn called for stepping up support given to Kyiv in the war against Russia and supported the confirmation of the irreversible trans-Atlantic trajectory of Ukraine. The president hailed the fact that negotiations are underway to replace the system donated to Ukraine. Romania wants another Patriot system instead, the Romanian head of state explained. Negotiations are underway in that respect, and some progress has already been achieved.
“We discussed this issue in detail a few days ago in the country’s Supreme Defense Council and we tasked the Ministry of Defense. Negotiations are underway and our desire is to receive another Patriot system in exchange. Of course, not immediately, but in the relatively near future. But to compensate the absence of the system we are giving now, I think we will manage to get systems that will be delivered faster and will ensure better surveillance of the national airspace”.
The President of Romania also referred to the aid that Allies give to Ukraine and emphasized that approximately half of the promised ammunition has been delivered, which is insufficient. In his opinion, Allies must continue to help Kyiv lest it should lose the war. According to experts, without NATO, which provides almost all of its military support, Ukraine risks sustaining defeat on the battlefield.
Mihai Pelin, Radio Romania International
