Key facts
- NATO allies pledged 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in defense aid to Ukraine.
- The pledge includes commitments for 2027 at equivalent levels.
- A portion of the pledged amount may consist of previously committed EU funds.
- European allies and Canada have increased their defense investments.
- NATO reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.
NATO allies have committed to providing 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in defense aid to Ukraine, with a pledge to maintain similar levels of support through 2027. This financial package is crucial for Ukraine, which faced a significant deficit in its 2026 defense budget. The joint declaration from the NATO summit in Ankara stated that allies would provide military equipment, assistance, and training.
However, concerns have been raised that a substantial portion of the pledged amount may not be new funding. According to reports from EU and NATO diplomats, the 28.3 billion euros ($32.3 billion) already scheduled from the European Union for Ukraine's defense needs this year could be counted towards the NATO pledge. This suggests that potentially over 40% of the total commitment might not represent fresh financial assistance.
The shift in currency from U.S. dollars to euros for the pledge also indicates a greater emphasis on European financial responsibility for supporting Ukraine. The summit's conclusions highlighted that European allies and Canada have significantly increased their defense investments, assuming greater responsibility for the alliance's security and financing the majority of security assistance to Ukraine. The alliance reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine's freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Notably, the conclusions contained minimal mention of Iran, despite recent tensions. The alliance reiterated that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and called for respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without making specific commitments.