The possibility of NATO offering increased military assistance to Ukraine is currently under discussion, according to the organization's senior civilian representative. This comes as Russian forces, who are better equipped, continue to exert their dominance on the battlefield.
"Support for Ukraine should rely less on short-term, voluntary offers and more on long-term NATO commitments," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of presiding over a meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers in Brussels.
NATO Considers Enhanced Military Support for Ukraine
The top civilian official of NATO announced on Wednesday that the organization is looking into a plan to offer more organized military assistance to Ukraine, as the country is still facing conflict with Russia.
Ukraine agreed earlier this week to reduce the conscription age from 27 to 25, with a view of rebuilding its ranks, as a result of years of conflict leaving the military short-staffed and severely lacking in weapons.
Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, briefed the press and stressed the critical nature of the situation on the battlefield, where Russian troops are making progress and pursuing their strategic goals.
Stoltenberg advocated for more coordination through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which is a multinational organization dedicated to providing support to Ukraine throughout the crisis. Stoltenberg urged a change in the approach that NATO employs. Through this action, attempts to transfer essential weapons and ammunition would be simplified, with the goal of improving Ukraine's capabilities in the area of defense.
Considering the recognition that members of NATO are ready to provide additional help to Ukraine, they continue to be wary about raising tensions with Russia, which is a military force that holds nuclear weapons, according to PBS.
NATO Weighs Coordinated Response
Stoltenberg underlined the need for a concerted response from NATO, which would focus on evaluating the requirements of Ukraine, collecting pledges, and enabling meetings to coordinate the efforts of military support.
Concerns have been expressed, however, regarding the implementation of Stoltenberg's idea as well as its ability to secure funding. Hadja Lahbib, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, issued a warning against making pledges without having concrete plans for that promise's execution. She also emphasized the importance of continued debate on the subject.
Annalena Baerbock, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, has voiced her support for the idea and reiterated the significance of setting up trustworthy and long-term systems for the provision of aid to Ukraine.
During this time, Russian officials declared reservations of the moves taken by NATO, accusing the alliance of adhering to a worldview comparable with that of the Cold War and increasing tensions.
The situation on the ground in Ukraine continues to be hazardous with continuous military operations and geopolitical tensions affecting the future of the area. This is despite the reality that discussions over the suggested approach are still taking place inside NATO, Al Jazeera reported.
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