European NATO allies and Canada have signaled readiness to fully take over financing Ukraine's fight against Russia. The alliance hopes to pledge €70 billion ($80 billion) in military aid for 2026 at the upcoming summit in Ankara on July 6-7.

The funding pledge was revealed in the draft summit declaration approved by ambassadors of all 32 NATO members, including the United States. Final approval is needed from leaders at the summit.

The declaration reportedly calls Russia a "long-term threat" and reaffirms commitment to collective defense under Article 5. It states allies are "building the future: a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO."

The pledge includes €30 billion annually from an EU loan and funds from individual nations. The move comes as US President Donald Trump allegedly reduces support for Ukraine, prompting European allies to step up.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the Ankara summit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed back against Trump's criticism of European defense spending, claiming Germany will double its defense budget within four years.

Source: www.dw.com