During their meeting in the Belgian capital, top diplomats from NATO countries were expected to discuss further military assistance to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Speaking ahead of the gathering, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed allies’ continued efforts to provide major deliveries of weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine, warning that any delay in support has consequences on the battlefield, according to a report.
Stoltenberg called on allies to ensure assistance for Ukraine for the long haul, NATO said on its website, with the ministers set to discuss how the Western military alliance "could assume more responsibility for coordinating military equipment and training, as well as ensure a multi-year financial commitment for Ukraine."
NATO plans $100bn five-year fund to support Ukraine
Earlier this week, Stoltenberg floated a proposal for a USD 100 billion five-year fund for Ukraine, according to a report by the Bloomberg news agency.
The planned financial package would be part of a broader initiative by NATO allies to support Ukraine's defence against Russia, as a USD 60 billion US military aid package is stalled in Congress, according to reports.
'We support the secretary-general’s efforts': Polish FM
Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told reporters on Wednesday that his country supported the plan for a new fund to help arm Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
"We support the secretary-general’s efforts," Sikorski said.
Ukraine at "critical moment" in war with Russia: Blinken
On Thursday, NATO foreign ministers meeting at the alliance's Brussels headquarters are scheduled to "address Ukraine’s current and future needs at the NATO-Ukraine Council," attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Ukraine is at a "critical moment" in its war with Russia and urgently needs more Western support.
"It is absolutely essential to get Ukrainians what they continue to need to defend themselves, particularly when it comes to munitions and air defences," Blinken told reporters during a visit to France, as cited by the Reuters news agency.
75 years of NATO
The two-day Brussels gathering aims to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty, which established NATO on April 4, 1949, according to an announcement.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Wednesday is day 770 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, politico.eu, nato.int