Britain and France have led efforts to block a significant NATO proposal that would have mandated member countries to allocate 0.25% of their GDP to military assistance for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed this week that the plan has been shelved due to the absence of unanimous backing ahead of the upcoming annual summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Although Rutte did not publicly identify the nations opposing the initiative, alliance insiders revealed that the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and Canada formed the core group that opposed the measure during confidential discussions. This rejection comes at a challenging moment for the UK’s international reputation, dealing a further blow to its image as one of Kyiv’s most reliable partners.
Meanwhile, the UK government has faced criticism after unexpectedly easing sanctions on Russian oil and gas. In a surprising move to both Kyiv and Western allies, ministers approved temporary exemptions permitting the purchase of jet fuel and diesel refined from Russian crude in third countries, citing market instability linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
European divisions over burden-sharing remain pronounced. While the volume of Britain’s military support is not fundamentally questioned—ranking third globally behind the United States and Germany—its total spending amounts to roughly 0.1% of GDP, falling short of the proposed target. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to maintaining a baseline of £3 billion annually for the foreseeable future. However, the collapse of the 0.25% GDP target has heightened frustration with other major economies such as France, Italy, Spain, and Canada, which have repeatedly been accused by smaller allies of not contributing their fair share.
Data from the Kiel Institute highlights a clear divide within the alliance, showing that countries like the Netherlands, Poland, and the Nordic and Baltic states are already meeting or exceeding the 0.25% threshold. Rutte, who served 14 years as the Dutch prime minister, has been a long-standing advocate for more equitable burden-sharing. His push for Europe to assume greater financial responsibility has intensified amid shifting US foreign policy, with former President Donald Trump halting major aid donations and instead promoting the sale of US weaponry to Kyiv, financed by European funds.
Frustration is mounting among NATO’s frontline states, who view substantial military aid as essential for regional survival. Ahead of a NATO meeting in Sweden, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson challenged fellow leaders to back their vocal support for Ukraine with concrete financial commitments.
Despite internal disagreements, at least seven member states strongly supported the mandate. However, NATO’s requirement for unanimous consent meant the opposition from the five major capitals was sufficient to block the proposal. In response, a spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that the country continues to engage with NATO allies on all proposals to ensure the alliance can effectively support Ukraine. Representatives from France, Italy, Spain, and Canada declined to comment on their role in opposing the initiative.
With the Ankara summit approaching, NATO ministers face the difficult challenge of formulating alternative, concrete measures to demonstrate ongoing solidarity with Kyiv without the enforceability of a mandatory financial commitment.
