In a display of unity and resolve, NATO leaders are set to pledge their ongoing support to Ukraine by committing to keep pouring arms and ammunition into the war-ravaged country at current levels for at least another year. The announcement comes as Russian troops continue to press their advantage along Ukraine's eastern front during the third year of the conflict.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the alliance's 32 member countries have been collectively spending approximately 40 billion euros ($43 billion) each year on military equipment for Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. Stoltenberg emphasized that this level of support should serve as a "minimum baseline" going forward. The amount allocated for military aid will be distributed among nations based on their economic growth, with a review of the figures scheduled for 2025.

While NATO is eager to provide further assistance to Ukraine, finding new ways to do so has proven challenging. Currently, NATO allies already contribute 99% of the military support received by Ukraine. The alliance plans to take over the management of equipment deliveries. However, two red lines remain: no NATO membership until the war is over, and no NATO boots on the ground in Ukraine.

During the previous summit, NATO leaders agreed to expedite Ukraine's membership process, albeit acknowledging that the country is unlikely to join for several years. They also established a high-level body for emergency consultations and made promises to provide additional military equipment. Now, NATO leaders aim to reaffirm their commitment and demonstrate solidarity, despite the uncertainties caused by political changes in various member countries.

Stoltenberg has stressed the necessity of a long-term commitment to Ukraine, acknowledging the major funding delays that have hindered the country's armed forces due to political disagreements in the U.S. Congress. He has called for a "major, multi-year" program that allocates at least 40 billion euros annually to weapons support. However, it is important to note that this figure does not represent an increase in support but rather matches the current annual spending since the war's onset.

As part of the upcoming summit, leaders are expected to endorse a new mission focused on efficiently delivering the right military equipment to Ukraine and streamlining training for its armed forces. The sheer volume of various types of weapons and materiel provided by Western backers has made logistics increasingly challenging. Additionally, training programs offered by NATO countries have become so abundant and diverse that Ukrainian armed forces struggle to prioritize which troops to send, to which NATO country, and for how long.

The proposed mission, which could be based in Wiesbaden, Germany, and potentially led by a U.S. general, aims to prevent interference from rogue governments or leaders in joint equipment deliveries. NATO officials argue that this mission would complement the U.S.-led effort known as the Ramstein group, which focuses on arms procurement.

Another challenge faced by NATO leaders is how to address Ukraine's membership prospects without allowing it to join while the conflict continues. Some allies are hesitant, fearing an escalation of the war with Russia. Hungary, in particular, opposes Ukraine's membership altogether. In the lead-up to the summit, NATO envoys have been carefully considering the use of terms such as "irreversible" to describe Ukraine's path to membership.

The timing and conditions for extending an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance remain uncertain. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the previous summit's lack of specificity regarding these matters. In recent weeks, Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have been briefed on the upcoming developments to ensure a clearer understanding.

Membership in NATO would provide Ukraine with protection against Russia, which annexed Crimea a decade ago and has since seized significant territories in the east and south of Ukraine. However, before Ukraine can pursue membership, it must undertake crucial reforms in its security institutions, improve governance, and combat corruption.

The upcoming NATO summit in Washington marks the alliance's 75th anniversary and will serve as a significant platform for reaffirming the commitment to Ukraine's security and stability.