The continuation of military support for Ukraine, increased defense spending by member states, the gradual repositioning of U.S. military forces in Europe, and the strengthening of NATO’s defense industrial base are expected to dominate discussions at the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7–8, according to diplomatic sources.
Support for Ukraine is set to remain one of the summit’s central priorities. Under a draft declaration already approved by the Permanent Representatives of NATO’s 32 member states in Brussels, Allied leaders are expected to commit to providing €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine in 2026 and to maintaining support at a similar level in 2027.
Diplomatic sources noted that several countries making significant contributions to Ukraine’s defense had advocated for the introduction of country-specific quotas for military aid. However, the proposal failed to secure the consensus required for adoption.
The total value of military assistance pledged for Ukraine over the two-year period is expected to reach €140 billion. The package will cover military equipment, training programs, and other forms of security assistance. Included in this amount is the €60 billion already committed by the European Union for military support to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 through a new €90 billion loan package for Kyiv.
As a result, the additional commitments expected from NATO allies during the same period amount to approximately €80 billion. This figure also includes purchases of specialized U.S.-made weapons systems—primarily air defense capabilities—that can only be supplied by the United States through the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO has signaled that “substantial announcements” regarding continued support for Ukraine are expected at the summit. He stressed that European allies should assume a greater share of the burden, noting that “this is a war being fought on the European continent,” while reaffirming that Washington’s commitment to Ukraine remains unchanged.
The ambassador also emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to Russia that the war must come to an end, underscoring NATO’s continued focus on supporting Ukraine while pursuing long-term security and stability across Europe.
Alongside the Ukraine agenda, Allied leaders are expected to discuss defense investment targets, military readiness, and measures aimed at expanding NATO’s industrial capacity to meet growing security challenges facing the Alliance.
Source: ANA-MPA
