NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that Ukraine is expected to receive around $60 billion in military assistance this year, calling on international partners to increase their contributions to ensure sustained support for Kyiv.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Berlin, Rutte said allied support remains crucial as Ukraine continues to hold its front lines and inflict significant losses on Russian forces.
“We are seeing Ukraine holding the frontline and inflicting heavy losses on the Russians,” Rutte said, adding that Russia’s monthly losses reportedly exceed those sustained during the Soviet Union’s 10-year war in Afghanistan.
Rutte acknowledged that Ukraine’s partners face economic and political challenges but stressed the need for consistent and uninterrupted defence assistance. He emphasized that Ukraine is not only a recipient of aid but also contributes to broader regional security, including support for countries facing similar threats in the Gulf region.
The NATO chief called on all allies to step up contributions to reach the $60 billion target, noting that funding under a proposed EU credit mechanism worth €90 billion should come in addition to existing bilateral commitments.
He highlighted air defence systems, drones, and long-range ammunition as top priorities for Ukraine’s military needs.
Rutte also reaffirmed the importance of the Ukraine Prioritised Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which coordinates the delivery of critical defence capabilities and equipment, stating that supply flows remain unchanged.
Looking ahead to the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Rutte urged a more predictable and structured approach to long-term support for Ukraine, expressing hope that additional pledges would be announced by members of the Contact Group.
