NATO Members to Pledge Billions for Weapons for Ukraine at Ankara Summit – Politico
At the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, alliance leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to commit to new weapons supply contracts worth billions of dollars and increase arms production, with a pledge of €70 billion in military support for Ukraine and at least an equivalent amount for the following year.
Summit Highlights
NATO members are set to gather in Ankara on July 7-8 for a summit where they are expected to pledge new weapons supply contracts worth billions of dollars and boost arms production, including for Ukraine, according to Politico, citing five unnamed diplomats.
The joint statement will be brief, similar to last year, the diplomats said. Ambassadors are currently discussing the draft declaration, which may change until the last moment before being signed by heads of state and government.
In the draft, NATO allies commit to providing Ukraine with military support worth €70 billion (approximately $76.9 billion) and pledge at least an equivalent sum for the following year. The United States is not expected to participate in reaching this target.
Focus on Defense Industry and Unity
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte aims to focus the summit primarily on boosting defense industrial production, partly to find a unifying theme that helps mask internal divisions within the alliance. European allies in the draft statement also commit to taking a more active role in defending the continent, including investments in deep strike capabilities, air defense systems, and drones.
One diplomat noted that support for Ukraine will likely be the most contentious issue, but overall negotiations on the draft declaration are "going smoothly," according to another source.
Ukraine's Representation
Rutte previously stated there will be no separate Ukraine-NATO Council session at the summit. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine will be represented by a delegation led by himself.
