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NATO defense ministers have convened to solidify a plan providing long-term security assistance and military training for Ukraine. This decision emerged from a two-day summit held at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the last major meeting before the pivotal Ukraine summit scheduled for July in Washington, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.

NATO’s Commitment to Sustained Support

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg underscored the necessity of maintaining unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. He emphasized the elimination of delays and gaps in arms deliveries to Ukraine, highlighting the annual provision of military aid worth approximately €40 billion from allied nations since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Stoltenberg proposed maintaining this level of support indefinitely and urged equitable burden-sharing among NATO allies.

G7 Agreement on Substantial Financial Aid

Simultaneously, leaders of the G7 nations reached a historic agreement at their summit in Apulia, Italy, to extend a $50 billion loan package to Ukraine by the year’s end. This financial aid, equivalent to €46.5 billion, will be primarily funded through interest accrued from frozen Russian assets, valued at approximately €278 billion. The majority of these assets are held within European Union countries, with the EU Commission estimating about €210 billion.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, presiding over the summit, lauded the political consensus on this loan system, affirming its critical role in bolstering Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed profound gratitude, emphasizing the importance of enhanced air defense systems and other essential military supplies.

Long-term Security Pacts with Japan and the USA

Ukraine has also secured security agreements with Japan and the United States, each lasting ten years. The U.S. pact, hailed as a milestone by both nations, aims to fortify Ukraine’s defense and deterrence capabilities without deploying American troops on Ukrainian soil. U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated the steadfast support for Ukraine, noting the provision of Patriot missiles and other air defense systems from multiple countries, although specific nations were not named.

Similarly, Japan’s agreement, signed by Ukrainian President Zelensky and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, pledges ¥600 billion (€4.2 billion) in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine by the end of 2024. This marks the first security pact between Ukraine and a non-NATO nation, reflecting Japan’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst global tensions.

Russia’s Response and Ceasefire Proposal

In a stark response, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the G7’s decision to utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s aid, labeling it “theft” and warning of retaliatory measures. Putin’s remarks came during a meeting with Russian foreign ministry officials, where he accused Western nations of legal manipulation to justify their actions.

Putin also outlined conditions for a potential ceasefire and negotiations with Ukraine. He demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the four regions annexed by Russia in 2022 – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia – and Ukraine’s abandonment of its NATO membership aspirations. While these demands are seen as untenable by Kyiv, which insists on the full withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, Putin claimed readiness to immediately cease hostilities and commence talks under these terms.

Putin’s proposal extends to broader geopolitical demands, including Ukraine’s non-nuclear status, military restrictions, and the protection of Russian-speaking populations. He also called for the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia as part of any peace agreement.

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