Italy withholds approval for a $79.8 billion NATO military aid package for 2027 — FAZ

Ambassadors of the member states have already agreed on a draft final declaration, providing Ukraine with military aid, weaponry, and training support worth $79.8 billion in 2026. However, journalists noted that the question of extending similar commitments into 2027 remains open.

The publication noted that allies initially proposed at least maintaining the same level of assistance for the following year. Yet, according to the outlet's sources, Italy opposed the move, preventing a final compromise from being reached so far.

NATO ambassadors are expected to hold an additional round of consultations to resolve the disagreements before the summit begins this week in Ankara.

The earmarked $79.8 billion is not a new aid package. This sum includes $34.2 billion already embedded in the European Union's loan program for Ukraine, as well as $45.6 billion that allies agreed upon during the NATO summit in Washington in 2024.

If similar commitments are adopted for 2027, the total volume of support over the two years would reach $159.6 billion.

According to FAZ, the draft final declaration also contains a provision emphasizing that Ukraine makes an important contribution to strengthening transatlantic security.

On June 25, Politico reported, citing diplomats, that NATO allies at the Ankara summit are expected to commit billions to new weapons manufacturing contracts, specifically for continued military support to Ukraine.

The 2026 NATO summit will take place on July 7–8 in Ankara, the capital of Turkiye. This will be the 36th meeting of the alliance's leaders.

On April 26, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will also participate in the NATO summit in Ankara.