NATO defense ministers to discuss military budgets, aid to Kiev

 

Arms procurements, defense budgets and military aid to the Kiev government will be in the spotlight during the upcoming two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers to begin in Brussels on Thursday.

Simultaneously, Brussles will also host a summit of the European Union, also discussing military support to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was invited to both events.

According to European Council President Charles Michel and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, participants of both summits will address the so-called victory plan, put forward by Zelensky.

Diplomatic sources said that instead of debating new arms supplies to Kiev, the meetings are more likely to focus on the degree of escalation with Russia, which European countries are ready to allow, including in the context of permitting the use of their weapons for strategic-depth strikes on Russia.

The diplomats believe that the United States is highly likely to stop short of permitting this move, waiting for European countries to make the first step.

All these issues will also be raised during the NATO-Ukraine Council ministerial meeting on October 17.

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