NATO Cannot Agree on a Statement on Aid to Ukraine Ahead of the Summit — Bloomberg
NATO member states continue to discuss the content of a joint statement ahead of the Alliance’s summit. One of the main points of contention remains the timing of financial aid to Ukraine, with Italy taking a different stance on this issue than most of its allies.
In particular, negotiations among diplomats have continued well into the night in recent days, after it initially appeared that the allies had agreed on a brief text to be approved by NATO member states’ leaders at their meeting in Ankara on July 7–8.
This tension has arisen as the allies prepare for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, as the American leader constantly complains that NATO allies are not spending enough on defense and is reducing the U.S. military presence in Europe.
According to sources, Italy is seeking to soften the Alliance’s commitment in the summit’s final statement to provide military aid to Ukraine through the end of next year.
According to the sources, the draft statement indicates that the allies would provide Ukraine with 70 billion euros in 2026 and 2027. This figure does not entail any new commitments but instead reflects NATO’s previous annual pledge to provide 40 billion euros in aid, plus an additional 30 billion euros each year through a loan from the European Union.
A specific mention of aid would mark a change from last year’s statement, which made no reference to financial assistance for Ukraine.
As sources clarified, Italy is advocating for the removal of the reference to 2027 in light of intensified diplomatic efforts with Moscow. This is because the reference to 2027 illustrates how such a statement could hinder the ability to conduct negotiations.
However, sources familiar with the Italian government’s position note that Rome is unlikely to break the consensus on this issue. The sources emphasized that aid to Ukraine is not in question.
Bloomberg reports this, citing informed sources.
Ukraine has called on NATO to officially recognize it as asecurity contributor.
At the upcoming NATO summit, the allies plan to reaffirm their long-term support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that assistance must be stable, predictable, and designed for the long term.
Russia may have been conducting covert reconnaissance of NATO countries’ nuclear facilities for over a year and a half using drones launched from ships of the so-called “shadow fleet.”
