Trump Risk... NATO Pushes $100 Billion Ukraine Support Package

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is reportedly pushing for a military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $100 billion in preparation for a potential second term of Trump.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media on the 2nd (local time), NATO will discuss the 'Mission for Ukraine' containing this plan at the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting held over two days starting the next day at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The goal is to reach an agreement before the NATO summit scheduled for July in Washington DC, USA.

The core of the plan is for NATO's 32 member countries to establish a fund that would enable military support for Ukraine worth up to $100 billion over the next five years. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, described it as a means "to protect the mechanism amid political changes."

If approved, NATO would gain control over the U.S.-led Ramstein Weapons Support Group and be able to manage the supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine. A diplomat described it as "crossing the Rubicon," saying, "NATO will take on the role of coordinating support for Ukraine," and added, "We see signals of agreement, and we expect the agreement to be reached by the time we board the plane to Washington."

Currently, in the United States, approval of a $60 billion military aid budget for Ukraine is delayed due to opposition from hardline Republicans. Former President Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has openly expressed a negative stance on aid to Ukraine. Amid this, with the U.S. presidential election coming up in November, NATO is interpreted to be preparing a kind of safety net to avoid political uncertainty, concerned about the so-called Trump risk.

A NATO official said, "Foreign ministers will discuss the best ways to make NATO's support for Ukraine stronger, more predictable, and sustainable." The proposal requires unanimous consent from all 32 member countries. An official stated, "It is at a very early stage," and "Nothing has been decided." Major foreign media also added that there could be opposition from some countries, including Hungary.