The meeting took place in Brussels and member-nations said in a statement they remain “steadfast in their commitment” to Ukraine “as it continues to defend its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.” Over the past year, there have been growing calls — particularly in the U.S. — to stop providing funding and military assistance to Ukraine. An August poll shows that a majority of Americans (55 percent) oppose the authorization of additional funding to support Kiev in its war with Moscow. Two months later, lawmakers in the U.S. congress were forced to strip Ukraine funding from a bill in order to avert a government shutdown. Yet, despite the Ukraine fatigue that has set in within large swaths of the population, global leaders are pressing forward with plans to continue its support for Kiev. Foreign ministers who met in Brussels say they will look to “further develop” cooperation with Ukraine on a broad range of issues including energy security, innovation, and cyber defense. NATO is also continuing to provide non-military assistance to Ukraine. “Together we are transforming the Comprehensive Assistance Package into a multi-year program to help rebuild the Ukrainian security and defense sector and to support Ukraine’s deterrence and defence in the long term,” NATO foreign ministers said in their statement. “As part of these efforts, we are developing a roadmap for Ukraine’s transition to full interoperability with NATO,” member nations added. “We are also developing new projects on humanitarian de-mining, medical rehabilitation for wounded Ukrainian soldiers, and Ukraine’s defense industrial capacity on the basis of the strategic defense procurement review.” Recommendations were provided to Kiev on priority reforms, and Ukraine said it would continue to advance democratic and security sector reforms within the country. “There may be differences about the best ways to contain Russia, to deter Russia. But the understanding (at NATO) that Russia poses a threat is consensual, and I don’t see that changing,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.NATO allies met on Nov. 29 and reaffirmed their commitment to continue backing Ukraine in its fight against Russia, vowing to provide “political and practical support” to President Volodymyr Zelensky for “as long as it takes.”
