There are increasing indications that a significant new Russian operation has already started. Just days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Monday, “We see how they [Russia] are sending more troops, more weapons, and more capabilities.”
Providing the Ukrainian government with tens of billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment, including battle tank. During the past year has been charged by Russia as “direct and escalating” engagement in the conflict on the part of the military coalition led by the United States.
Providing combat aircraft was on the table, according to Stoltenberg. Who made the remarks to reporters prior to a meeting of NATO’s defence ministers. Although he emphasised that doing so would not enlist member nations in the conflict.
Currently, 30 countries make up NATO. Only six of the EU’s 27 member states—Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Sweden—do not belong to NATO.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has regularly blamed the conflict in Ukraine on NATO’s expansion to the east.
Every year, NATO establishes its military and civilian budgets, with commitments from all of its members. Based on a cost-sharing formula determined on each nation’s gross national income.
To maintain the military readiness of the alliance, NATO members have pledged a minimum of 2% of their GD. For defence spending, but most nations have consistently fallen short of this goal over time.
The military budget was set at 1.96 billion euros ($2.10 billion) for 2023, a 25.8% increase from the previous year.
The US and Germany, who combined will provide more than 30% of the alliance’s funds. They have agreed to make the highest-percentage contributions to the military budget.
The latest figures from the German think tank Kiel Institute for the World Economy show that between January 24 and November 20, 2022. NATO countries provided at least 80.5 billion euros ($75.2 billion) in financial, humanitarian, and military aid.
The US is Ukraine’s largest donor with commitments totaling 47.8 billion euros ($51.2 billion). With at least 22.9 billion euros ($24.5 billion) going towards military pledges, 15.05 billion euros ($16.1 billion) going towards financial aid. And 9.9 billion euros ($10.6 billion) going towards humanitarian aid.
Weapons, gear, and financial support are all examples of military assistance for the Ukrainian armed forces. Humanitarian aid includes providing food, medicine, and other necessities for people. Whilst financial aid takes the form of grants, loans, and guarantees.
With 7.1 billion euros ($7.6 billion) committed to Ukraine. The UK is the second-highest NATO member donor, and Germany is third with 5.4 billion euros ($5.8 billion).
Finland and Sweden, who are not members, have pledged at least 810 million euros each and 310 million euros.
The US and other nations have promised Ukraine further military aid since November 20. The sums each NATO nation has pledged to Ukraine are broken down in detail in the chart below.
According to analysts, Ukraine needs the newest main battle tanks in order to breach Russian defences. Moreover and to recapture land that Russian forces had taken in the first few weeks of the invasion.
The southern part of Ukraine is level and perfect for tanks. To halt a Ukrainian offensive in the area, Russia has started constructing rows of trenches and hardened bunkers.
Ukraine has pushed for Western fourth-generation supersonic fighter fighters, including the US-made F-16, in addition to tanks.
The fleet of outdated Soviet-era aircraft used by the Ukrainian air force was produced before the country. Even achieved independence more than three decades ago. The jets are employed to conduct intercept flights and launch attacks against Russian targets.
Additionally, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers—including special forces—have received training from NATO and its partners.
Ukraine has always shown a desire to join NATO. 2019 saw the adoption of a constitutional amendment to pursue alliance membership.
Although it is unlikely that Ukraine will join NATO anytime soon, Stoltenberg stated in December. That “Russia does not have a veto” over new members and that the organisation “stand[s] by that, too, on membership for Ukraine.”
