Key facts
- NATO allies will announce billions of dollars in new defense contracts at the July summit in Ankara.
- The alliance will also pledge significant military support for Ukraine.
- The summit declaration will reaffirm NATO's commitment to Article 5 and identify Russia as a long-term threat.
- European allies are expected to commit €70 billion in military support for Ukraine, with a similar amount planned for the next year.
- The U.S. is not expected to contribute to the €70 billion Ukraine aid package.
NATO allies are poised to announce tens of billions of dollars in new defense contracts and substantial military aid for Ukraine at the upcoming summit in Ankara, according to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and NATO diplomats. The summit, scheduled for July 7-8, will also see leaders reaffirm their commitment to Article 5 of the alliance's charter and reiterate that Russia poses a long-term threat.
NATO ambassadors are currently negotiating the details of the leaders' declaration, which is subject to change. The focus for the summit is on ramping up defense industrial production, a unifying topic intended to address internal rifts within the alliance. This emphasis on scaling up production reflects challenges in shifting European industry towards rapid mass production. The promise of new defense deals is also seen as a way to make an economic case for NATO that resonates with U.S. President Donald Trump.
European allies and Canada increased their defense spending by $139 billion last year, aiming for a collective target of 3.5 percent of GDP on defense by 2035. The draft declaration includes a pledge to bolster Ukraine with €70 billion in military support, with a similar amount planned for the following year. However, the U.S. is not expected to participate in this specific €70 billion package. Support for Ukraine is anticipated to be a contentious point in the negotiations.
Additionally, European allies are set to pledge greater involvement in the continent's defenses, including investments in deep strike capabilities, air defense systems, and drones. This comes as the U.S. pivots to other priorities, a shift referred to as burden-shifting. U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth recently announced a review of the American military presence in Europe to pressure countries to increase their defense spending.