RIGA, Latvia — NATO should take over the coordination of Western military aid to Ukraine to prevent gaps and delays, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Bucharest Nine—a group of European countries on NATO’s eastern edge—Stoltenberg emphasized that centralized NATO coordination would address the issues experienced last winter. At that time, a $61 billion U.S. aid package for Ukraine was delayed for months in Congress before finally passing in April.
“NATO coordination would help avoid the gaps and delays in aid deliveries,” Stoltenberg said.
The proposal, which will be discussed at a NATO summit in Washington in July, is seen as a measure to ensure consistency in support for Ukraine. However, it faces opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who argues that it brings the alliance closer to war with Russia. Hungary’s President Tamas Sulyok will not attend the B9 summit, but Stoltenberg plans to visit Budapest on Wednesday to address these concerns.
Stoltenberg’s plan, if adopted, aims to streamline the flow of military aid to Ukraine and ensure timely and efficient support, reflecting a coordinated effort by NATO allies.
