Speaking to reporters in Brussels ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara July 7–8, Whitaker said he expects “substantial” announcements from the meeting that will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to fight, build on battlefield gains, and send a signal to Moscow that the war must end.
“I think U.S. and allied statements will be substantial; I think you will see everyone step up,” he said.
Whitaker said the summit should produce long-term, sustainable commitments to help Ukraine continue the fight and consolidate battlefield successes. At the same time, he said, Washington is clear about what it expects from its European partners.
“We are really working together here to support Ukraine, and at the same time we expect our European allies to bear the burden of war on the European continent,” the ambassador said. He added that the United States is not walking away from its leadership role.
“The United States, as I continue to say, is not going anywhere. We will keep doing what we are doing and expect our allies to join us in those efforts.”
Assessing U.S. assistance so far, Whitaker said the United States has done “far more than any other country in the world” to defend Ukraine. He highlighted the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) program, which allows NATO allies to purchase U.S. weapons for Ukrainian forces.
“We sold advanced U.S.-made systems, including Patriot air-defense systems and PAC-3 missiles, worth more than $6 billion to NATO allies, who then provided them to Ukraine,” he said.
On the prospect of a diplomatic settlement to the Russo–Ukrainian war, Whitaker said there are no signs Kyiv and Moscow are prepared to accept the same peace terms.
“But it takes two to tango, as our president [Donald Trump] said.
And right now it doesn’t look like either side is ultimately ready to agree to
the same deal,” he said.