NATO concluded a two-day summit in Turkey with a pledge of €70 billion ($80 billion) in assistance for Ukraine's fight against Russia, as US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about prospects for a future peace deal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined leaders from all 32 member states in Ankara, where he engaged in an advocacy blitz for Kyiv and met with Trump.
In a declaration released as the meetings wrapped up, NATO said the allies "stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity". "For 2026, Allies pledge €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine and affirm their sovereign commitments to sustaining at least equivalent levels in 2027," the statement said.
Long-term support – the vast majority of which now comes from Europe and Canada – "must be equitable, predictable, and sustainable", it added.
Trump appeared enthusiastic about supporting Ukraine as he addressed reporters alongside Zelenskyy, a sharp departure from their highly publicized break last year. He called Russian President Vladimir Putin "a difficult character" and gestured at Zelenskyy, saying he is also "a difficult character".
"It's not the easiest thing," Trump said of an eventual peace settlement. "I think we've made a lot of progress in the last couple of weeks."
Trump also appeared to offer a boon to Ukraine in the form of US Patriot missile systems, for which Zelenskyy recently asked for a production license. "We'll give them the right to make Patriots. We'll show them how to do it," Trump said.
Regarding negotiations with Russia, Zelenskyy said: "We know what to do to bring peace." He told Trump: "I'm sure you will do everything to stop this war."
The Ukrainian president spent the summit's two days bouncing between nearly 20 bilateral meetings, seeking to double down on commitments from European and other allies.
Russia continued to pummel Ukraine throughout the NATO summit. Russian missile strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people and wounded 14. In Kharkiv, the number of wounded from Russian attacks increased to 34.
Ukrainian drones, meanwhile, hammered Russian energy facilities, attacking three oil refineries and pipeline pumping stations. Experts say Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities have allowed it to move into a "stronger position".
Source: www.aljazeera.com