NATO Allies to Pledge €70 Billion Annual Aid to Ukraine

Kathmandu. NATO's European member states and Canada will pledge to provide Ukraine with military aid of €70 billion (US$80 billion) annually at the alliance's summit in Ankara next week, diplomats said on Friday.

This commitment, which will be included in a declaration at the end of the summit, includes €30 billion annually from EU loans and amounts previously committed by various countries.

This is mainly a symbolic step to show US President Donald Trump that allied nations are fully handling the cost of Russia's war against Ukraine. President Trump has already announced a halt to Washington's aid.

This comes to confirm to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that support for Ukraine remains unwavering even as Ukraine is gradually changing its form in the war.

According to diplomats, they aim to provide €70 billion in aid annually from EU loans and previously made commitments.

Currently, Germany, Ukraine's biggest supporter, insisted on putting this commitment in writing so that other European countries can be pressured to contribute more.

According to officials, despite some initial negative comments and reluctance from Italy regarding the written commitment, NATO representatives finally approved it on Friday.

Zelensky will attend a dinner hosted by NATO leaders on Tuesday, but will not participate on the day after the main summit as the alliance will not include him in the main discussions.

Officials do not want to make Ukraine a top priority for fear of angering President Trump, as Trump's efforts to end the war are stalled.

Last month at the G-7 meeting, the US leader signaled a slight softening of the atmosphere towards Ukraine, and it is said that other leaders may seek to further develop this.