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Summary
The U.S. is extending its security role to Ukraine, and NATO is gaining even more control in supporting the country. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov addressed the U.S. Department of Defense during a joint speech with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on February 13. Umerov emphasized the necessity of continued military assistance to Ukraine, particularly to strengthen Kyiv’s position in potential peace talks. Rutte expressed optimism that the bilateral agreement would help Ukraine in reaching a breakthrough. The speech took place in Brussels, after the start of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, which will be held in a "lunch format".YNCos.IC
U.S. aid to Ukraine remains uncertain, especially regarding its commitments to "rare earths" and other critical materials, as President Donald Trump has expressed growing doubts. The White House leader suggested that the U.S. might be tied to trade agreements, including access to "rare earths and other things". Despite this uncertainty, NATO is taking over its security assistance and military training from the U.S. Umerov made the remarks amid ongoing debates over Ukraine’s post-war costs, as Europe fears it will fall short of contributing to the costs of post-war security and reconstruction.
The U.S. remains in a geographical baseline with NATO, with the aid accusing it of leaving Ukraine to shoulder the burden of rebuilding rather than contributing in peace talks. NATO-Ukraine Council meetings, taking place alongside the Munich Security Conference, coincide with discussions on Ukraine’s future security assistance. A meeting by UDCG, formed by NATO members, has already provided updates, and the session is centered around defense production, financing new enterprises, and increasing European arms supplies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is taking a side-stepped approach in the summit, participating in "listening mode" rather than preparing for new assistance commitments.
The Ukraine government expresses fear that it will be left to shoulder the costs of post-war maintenance, as it remains an exclusionary country from U.S.-Russia tr一直到 the end of the conflict. The financial times reported on this, citing senior European officials. Despite these concerns, Ukraine is closely collaborating with NATO in addressing security, defense, and diplomacy, with the risk set to grow as the conflict intensifies.
