NATOs European members and Canada will commit 70 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine this year and next at a summit in Ankara.
BRUSSELS: NATO’s European members and Canada will pledge to give Ukraine 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military aid both this year and next at the alliance’s summit in Ankara next week, diplomats said Friday.
The vow — to be contained in a final summit declaration — includes 30 billion euros each year from an EU loan and funds already committed by individual countries, diplomats said.
The largely symbolic move is aimed at showing US President Donald Trump that allies have fully taken over the financing of Ukraine’s fight against Russia as he has stopped Washington’s support.
And it is meant to demonstrate to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky — who will attend the summit — that backing remains steadfast as his country appears to be turn the tide in the war.
Diplomats say that the financing from the European Union loan and the pledges they have made already mean they are on course to reach the 70 billion euros in each year.
Germany — now the largest backer of Ukraine — had pushed to have the commitment put in writing as it seeks to drive other European countries to do more.
Officials said that there was some pushback from Italy over putting the pledge in black-and-white, but that it was eventually approved Friday by ambassadors at NATO.
Zelensky is to attend a dinner of NATO leaders on Tuesday but will not be part of the main summit the day after as the alliance keeps him on the sidelines.
Officials do not want to make Ukraine too prominent an issue for fear of upsetting Trump as his efforts to end the war have hit a wall.
But the US leader appeared to signal he could be warming to Ukraine at a G7 meeting last month and other leaders may seek to build on any perceived momentum.
