Alyona Getmanchuk, Ukraine’s ambassador to NATO, told POLITICO that any new commitment should focus on Kyiv’s priorities such as air defense, investments in drone and missile production and extended-range ammunition.
“Until effective security guarantees become available for Ukraine, we can rely only on the financial guarantees provided by our partners,” she said.
After rejecting a suggestion by Rutte to devote 0.25 percent of their GDP to Ukraine last month, allies are now considering the German initiative. But the discussions remain in their early stages, three of the diplomats said. A meeting of NATO defense ministers later this month creates an opportunity to reach an agreement.
The new funding target would not consist entirely of fresh cash. Under the proposal, €30 billion would come from the EU’s already agreed two-year €90 billion loan to Ukraine, two of the diplomats said, while an additional €40 billion would be allocated from bilateral commitments.
“This is natural, because of the fact that most NATO allies are also EU [members],” said a sixth senior NATO diplomat. “It would be unfair for them to be called to contribute twice.”
However, some worry that countries may feel there is less need to donate on their own if they can count on EU cash.
“What is important now is that especially European countries don’t see this €90 billion loan as something that is going to be instead of bilateral support,” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Sterengard told POLITICO late last month. “Adding the bilateral support on top of that loan is absolutely crucial.”
This article has been updated.