Copenhagen [Denmark], March 19: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday a new joint task force with Ukraine is to be established to streamline the procurement of military supplies and consolidate support for Kiev.
The move comes in response to the looming threat of a US veto blocking continued NATO military aid coordination for Ukraine. Currently, the Germany-based NATO-Ukraine command, or NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine), is responsible for these tasks. Created at the NATO summit in Washington in July, NSATU coordinates arms deliveries and the training of Ukrainian forces. The European Commission stated that the new task force will complement NATO's efforts, with both organizations coordinating their activities.
Speculation has recently emerged that the US might push for a halt to NSATU as part of negotiations for Russian concessions, particularly following the recent disruption of US military aid to Ukraine.
In a speech in Copenhagen, von der Leyen did not provide specific details on the task force but emphasized the growing need for Europe to become more independent of the United States and bolster its own domestic defence capabilities.
Source: Qatar Tribune
