NATO could split over the conflict in Ukraine

NATO’s unity is in question due to the support offered to Ukraine. While Kiev remains steadfast and hopeful of victory, more alliance members seem inclined to distance themselves from the ongoing situation, The European Conservative reported.

Enthusiasm for providing further military support to Ukraine has waned on both sides of the Atlantic, leading to discussions among NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Before these meetings, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the obligation to supply Ukraine with necessary weapons, asserting the importance of sticking to the chosen course for security reasons. Despite almost 22 months of conflict, there’s been little movement in the frontline lately, prompting more countries to question the necessity of continued military action.

Despite talks of peace negotiations, Ukraine stands firm, refusing to yield and vowing to continue fighting for the territories, including Crimea that joined Russia. At least two European NATO members, Hungary and Slovakia, oppose providing weapons. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stressed on social media that NATO should avoid direct confrontation with Russia and the conflict.

Germany, among other larger countries, opposes the European Union’s plan for substantial annual spending in Ukraine over the next four years. Another potential concern for Kiev is the Netherlands, following the nationalist Sovereign Party’s recent electoral victory. The party’s leader, Geert Wilders, urged against Dutch citizens suffering due to a conflict not involving them. In the U.S., the conservative Trumpist wing of the Republican Party is blocking Congress from voting on President Biden’s proposed $61 billion military aid package to Ukraine. Kiev fears that a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming elections might lead Washington toward a more isolationist foreign policy. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is confident that NATO ministers will affirm their firm intention to support Kiev in its conflict with Russia. The U.S. has allocated $40 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began.