NATO countries provided security assistance worth EUR 50B to Ukraine last year – Rutte

This was stated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at a press conference in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Since 2022, NATO Allies have provided Ukraine with unprecedented support, including 99% of all military aid,” Rutte said.

He recalled recent aid packages from Sweden, Finland and Canada, as well as the Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France and F-16s from the Netherlands.

“Other Allies are also stepping up their efforts to train more Ukrainian troops.

NATO’s newly established command in Wiesbaden to support Ukraine is at the forefront of coordinating these – and future – contributions,” the NATO Secretary General said.

He recalled that at the Washington Summit, Allies pledged to provide Ukraine with EUR 40 billion of security assistance in 2024, and they “have not only met their commitments, they far exceeded them”.

“They have provided over 50 billion euros, more than half of which comes from European Allies and Canada,” Rutte stressed.

He also underscored that this sends a clear signal of Alliance’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine.

“But to really change the trajectory of the conflict, we need to do even more. 

The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger they will be at the negotiating table, the greater the chances of getting a good deal for lasting peace. That is what we all want. For Ukraine, for our shared security, and for global stability,” Rutte stated.

As reported by Ukrinform, the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will take place on February 12 at NATO headquarters under the chairmanship of the United Kingdom.

On February 13, NATO Defense Ministers will gather in Brussels for the meeting, which will be chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In the format of the NATO-Ukraine Council, they will meet with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.