Promotion of Securing Operational Control for Ukrainian Military Training and Support
Concerns Over Suspension of Ukraine Aid if Trump Returns
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is reportedly planning to establish a new command to oversee the supply of war materials and military training for Ukraine. This move is interpreted as a preparation for a potential halt in U.S. support for Ukraine amid the possibility of former President Trump returning to the White House.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 1st (local time), NATO intends to set up a new command in Wiesbaden, Germany, responsible for supplying military equipment to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and training the Ukrainian military. This operation, called "Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (SATU)," has been carried out by U.S. forces since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but a multinational coalition of about 700 personnel from 32 countries is expected to take over most of the mission. Additionally, plans are underway to deploy senior civilian officials to Kyiv, with related measures expected to be announced at the upcoming NATO summit next week.
The WSJ stated, "NATO's support for Ukraine is equipped with a Trump-proof plan," adding, "With the rise of right-wing political forces across Europe and former President Trump complaining on TV debates about the money the U.S. has spent on Ukraine, NATO is under pressure." Former President Trump has demanded that NATO and its allies allocate 2% of their GDP to defense spending and has declared that the U.S. would cease its role as the world's policeman if defense spending is not increased.
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder explained, "The main reason for this change is to ensure that support for Ukraine is not shaken by the variable of Trump," adding, "If NATO manages military training and support for Ukraine instead of the U.S., there will be no problem even if the U.S. withdraws its support." Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute also assessed, "(These NATO measures) provide resilience to potential political changes regardless of the election outcomes in the U.S., France, the U.K., or the European Union (EU)."
Meanwhile, on the same day, the U.S. Supreme Court granted partial immunity to former President Trump regarding allegations of attempting to overturn the election results. Trump had been indicted for allegedly inciting supporters to riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, after refusing to accept his election defeat. This ruling is expected to make it practically difficult for related criminal trials to be held before the November election. Following the first presidential debate last week and amid pressure on President Joe Biden to resign, this development is seen as a green light for Trump's presidential campaign.
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