NATO moves toward a €70 bn military aid package for Ukraine

NATO members are reviewing a German‑led proposal to create a new €70 billion military financing framework for Ukraine. The plan would allocate €30 billion from the existing EU‑backed two‑year €90 billion loan to Kyiv and secure the remaining €40 billion through bilateral commitments by alliance states, a structure designed to improve transparency and address complaints that some countries bear a disproportionate share of the burden.

The initiative is slated for a formal decision at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, with defence ministers expected to finalise details in a later meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking alongside NATO Secretary‑General‑designate Mark Rutte, urged Europe to expedite delivery of Patriot air‑defence systems, citing supply delays caused by stock shortages linked to the war in Iran. While the United States currently provides weapons to Kyiv that are financed by other allies, the new package would focus on Ukraine’s stated priorities: air defence, drone and missile production, and longer‑range ammunition.

Diplomats note that the proposal aims to balance the alliance’s financial contributions, avoid double‑taxation of EU members that are also NATO partners, and maintain direct, country‑level support for Kyiv’s defence needs.