Major NATO allies including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and Canada have reportedly blocked a proposal that would have required NATO members to dedicate 0.25% of GDP annually in military aid for Ukraine, according to The Telegraph.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had hoped to secure support for the plan ahead of the upcoming alliance summit in Ankara, but acknowledged this week that the proposal lacked sufficient backing to move forward.
The initiative aimed to guarantee a minimum level of military assistance for Ukraine as Russia’s war continues into its fourth year. While several NATO members reportedly supported the proposal especially countries already spending above the proposed threshold opposition from key Western allies prevented consensus, which is required for all NATO decisions.
The reported resistance comes despite continued criticism that some of Europe’s largest economies are contributing less than smaller allies such as Poland and the Baltic and Nordic states, many of which already exceed the proposed benchmark.
The debate also reflects growing pressure on European NATO members to increase their share of responsibility after U.S. President Donald Trump halted new American aid packages and urged Europe to take on a greater financial role in supporting Ukraine
