Key facts
- U.S. President Donald Trump offered Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles during a bilateral meeting at the NATO summit in Ankara.
- The NATO summit concluded with allies pledging $80 billion in defense aid for 2026.
- Trump expressed conflicting sentiments towards allies, criticizing their defense spending and stance on Iran, while also floating U.S. troop withdrawal from NATO.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky secured drone deals with Denmark, Estonia, and the Netherlands, and Trump indicated the U.S. would purchase Ukrainian drones.
- European officials are increasingly viewing Ukraine as a security provider, particularly due to its drone capabilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable messaging and demands significantly influenced the final hours of the NATO summit in Ankara, even as Ukraine emerged with a key concession: a license to produce Patriot missiles. Alongside an allied pledge of $80 billion in defense aid for 2026, President Zelensky's meeting with Trump yielded a surprising offer for domestic missile manufacturing, a crucial development amid intense Russian attacks.
Despite expectations of a potentially contentious summit, Trump's rhetoric remained a dominant theme. He reiterated criticisms of allies for insufficient defense spending and their lack of support regarding Iran, while also raising the possibility of withdrawing U.S. forces from NATO. This pattern of behavior, characterized by shifting stances and strong demands, has become a familiar aspect of Trump's engagement with the alliance.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other European officials sought to navigate Trump's pronouncements, emphasizing the evolving nature of the U.S.-European relationship and Europe's increasing responsibility for its own security. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten highlighted the importance of learning from Ukraine's defense capabilities, particularly its drone technology, which has transformed the country from a recipient to a provider of security.
Ukraine's growing role was further underscored by new drone deals with Denmark, Estonia, and the Netherlands, and Trump's indication that the U.S. would also purchase Ukrainian drones. President Zelensky used the summit to advocate for Ukraine's NATO membership, emphasizing the country's defensive capabilities. However, Kyiv's primary focus remained on securing more arms, particularly air defense missiles, a plea that appeared to be heard with Trump's announcement regarding Patriot missile production.