NATO defence ministers move to bolster deterrence and support for Ukraine

NATO defence ministers met in Brussels on 15 February 2024 to address the alliance’s deterrence and defence, as well as support to Ukraine.

Addressing the media following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pointed to “historic progress” in increased defence investment. “By the end of 2024, European Allies and Canada will have added more than USD 600 billion [EUR 556 billion] for defence since we made the Defence Investment Pledge [in 2014],” he said, adding that he expects 18 allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defence this year.

The NATO defence ministers also discussed progress in ramping up ammunition production. Stoltenberg made clear that there is a “need to shift from the slow pace of peacetime to the high-tempo production demanded by conflict” in order to refill stocks and continue to support Ukraine. In the past months NATO has agreed contracts worth USD 10 billion. “This helps Ukraine, makes NATO stronger, and provides more highly-skilled jobs in Europe and North America,” said the secretary general.

Ministers also addressed the deteriorating security environment. Stoltenberg confirmed that, while “we do not see any imminent military threat against the alliance, NATO continues to ensure there is no room for miscalculation in Moscow about our readiness to protect all Allies”. With ‘Steadfast Defender 24’, the largest NATO exercise in decades, currently ongoing, the NATO allies are demonstrating their capabilities and testing their ability to swiftly move forces across Europe to defend against an attack.

Finally, the NATO allies held an exchange with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who remotely joined a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Underlining the importance of continued NATO support for Ukraine, Stoltenberg welcomed recent announcements of support – including from Canada, Finland, and Norway – covering key capabilities like F-16 equipment and spare parts, as well as air defence. He further welcomed that a group of allies, led by Latvia and the United Kingdom, has formed a coalition to deliver one million unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine and that 20 NATO allies have agreed to form a demining coalition for Ukraine.

The NATO defence ministers also decided to create a new NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Poland to share lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict and create a structure for Ukrainian forces to learn and train alongside their allied counterparts. “Together, NATO Allies account for 99% of all military aid to Ukraine and our continued commitment is essential to preserving Ukraine’s freedom,” Stoltenberg concluded. “We will continue to stand with Ukraine, for Ukraine’s security, and for ours.”