Several NATO member states, including the United Kingdom and France, have reportedly blocked a proposal by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte aimed at significantly increasing military assistance to Ukraine, according to The Telegraph on May 24.
The initiative was expected to be discussed ahead of NATO’s annual summit in Ankara and reportedly sought to encourage alliance members to allocate at least 0.25% of their GDP annually toward military support for Ukraine. According to the report, at least seven NATO countries that already meet or exceed that level backed the proposal. However, NATO decisions require unanimous approval, and the plan was reportedly blocked by five member states: the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and Canada.
The reported opposition is seen as particularly sensitive for London, which has consistently presented itself as one of Kyiv’s strongest international partners since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to The Telegraph. The development comes amid growing scrutiny of the British government following its recent decision to temporarily ease restrictions on imports of certain fuel products derived from Russian oil processed in third countries.
Britain currently provides approximately £3 billion (around $9 billion) in annual assistance to Ukraine, equivalent to roughly 0.1% of its GDP. While this places the UK among the largest contributors in absolute terms after the United States and Germany, it remains below the proposed NATO benchmark, the outlet notes.
Data cited from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy indicates that several countries, including the Netherlands, Poland, and multiple Nordic and Baltic states, already spend at or above the suggested 0.25% threshold on support for Ukraine. Läs artikel