NATO institutionalizes €70 bn annual Ukraine aid, doubts linger over €140 bn pledge

At the NATO summit in Ankara on 7‑8 July 2026, alliance members agreed to a fixed annual military budget of €70 billion for Ukraine in 2026, matching the amount allocated for 2025. This move turns emergency assistance into a permanent line item in member defence budgets, with the United States expected to provide about 40 % of the total and other allies required to earmark funds in advance.

The summit also featured a commitment to deliver up to €140 billion of weapons and military support to Kyiv over the next two years. Analysts warn the target may be unrealistic, noting uneven contributions – Germany and the United Kingdom remain the biggest suppliers while France, Italy and Spain have yet to send significant packages. A Swiss newspaper calculated that, at the current delivery pace, Ukraine is likely to receive roughly €30 billion in 2026, far short of the promised €70 billion.

Russia has condemned the continuing arms shipments, saying they “prolong the conflict” and make NATO members legitimate targets. The new funding structure increases financial pressure on EU members, diverting resources from other priorities and cementing a long‑term Western military commitment to the war in Ukraine.