White House does not want NATO's role in supporting Ukraine to be strengthened - Kirby
Kyiv • UNN
The White House rejects a proposal to place the U.S.-led Ramstein Group, which coordinates arms shipments to Ukraine, under NATO leadership, insisting that the United States retain its leadership role.
The White House has rejected a proposal to transfer the US-led Ramstein group for coordinating arms supplies to Ukraine under NATO leadership. This was stated by White House National Security Advisor John Kirby. At a press briefing, he expressed doubts that the United States would abandon the leadership of Ramstein, UNN reports.
Details
The U.S. administration has expressed doubts about the feasibility of transferring additional functions to NATO to coordinate assistance to Ukraine.
Kirby emphasized the importance of U.S. leadership in the work of the contact group, which coordinates issues related to Ukraine's needs, including arms supplies.
This was an idea that Secretary Austin had and that he convened more than a dozen times, really the result of American mobilization power and an example of how President Biden has really revitalized our leadership on the world stage to bring countries together to do this
Kirby said that US President Biden believes that US leadership remains vital and he is confident that the US will be able to continue to demonstrate this leadership through the contact group.
He also emphasized that NATO has been part of Ramstein from the very beginning. Jens Stoltenberg, he was present at every one of them, including the first one.
Context
The day before, the Financial Times reported, citing sources, that NATO is working on a five-year aid package worth up to $100 billion to Ukraine, which will be in place regardless of possible political changes in the West.
According to several diplomats, the so-called "Mission for Ukraine" proposal was put forward by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. According to the plan, the alliance would have to jointly coordinate the use of an estimated $100 billion to be provided by 32 member states.
If approved, the proposal would give NATO control of the U.S.-led contact group on Ukraine and allow the alliance to manage the supply of lethal weapons to Kyiv, the newspaper explained.
