U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders are set to announce new aid and reaffirm a membership promise to Ukraine at a summit in Washington. This follows Biden’s commitment to defending Kyiv against Russia’s invasion.
A draft communique for the 32-nation alliance meeting indicates that the allies plan to provide Ukraine with at least 40 billion euros ($43.28 billion) in military aid over the next year, though it falls short of the multi-year commitment sought by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The draft, reviewed by Reuters, also intensifies NATO's stance on China, labeling it a "decisive enabler" of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and noting that Beijing continues to pose systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security.
Stoltenberg stated that allies are expected to agree on a "substantial" aid package for Ukraine and to enhance partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region. The package will include a new NATO command for Ukraine to provide security assistance and training, along with a long-term commitment to support Kyiv.
Immediate military support announcements will include air defense systems and measures to ensure full interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces. NATO members have already pledged five additional Patriot and other strategic air defense systems to Ukraine.
The draft declaration, requiring approval from all NATO states, affirms the alliance’s support for Ukraine’s "irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership." It also states that NATO will be ready to invite Ukraine to join the alliance once allies agree and conditions are met.
In a Tuesday speech, Biden proclaimed that NATO is "stronger than it’s ever been" and expressed confidence that Ukraine will defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin with full, collective NATO support.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, tops the NATO summit agenda. Leaders will also discuss other pressing security issues, including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and growing ties between Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea.
The draft statement urges China to stop all support for Russia’s war effort and expresses concerns about China’s space capabilities and rapid nuclear arsenal expansion, calling for Beijing to engage in strategic risk reduction talks.
The upcoming U.S. presidential election could significantly impact Washington’s support for Ukraine and NATO. Republican candidate Donald Trump has questioned the level of aid to Ukraine and U.S. support for allies in general.
During the summit, several senior European officials met with a top foreign policy adviser to Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet with U.S. Senate and House leaders and key committee members involved in defense, spending, diplomacy, and national security on Wednesday. He is expected to express gratitude for the $175 billion already approved for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and to request further assistance.
Reuters reported that two Trump advisers had proposed a plan to Zelenskiy for ending the war, contingent on Trump winning the election. The plan involves offering more U.S. weapons to Ukraine only if it enters peace talks with Russia.
Despite this, peace talks seem distant. In a Tuesday evening speech, Zelenskiy spoke of the heavy losses from the war and his anger towards Putin.
In Congress, many of Trump’s allies have consistently voted against aiding Ukraine, while Democrats and internationally-minded Republicans have supported the current aid levels.
A senior NATO official mentioned that Russia lacks the munitions and troops for a major offensive in Ukraine but could maintain its war effort for another three to four years. Similarly, Ukraine has not yet gathered enough munitions and personnel for large-scale operations.
On the summit’s sidelines, Biden is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking their first meeting since Starmer’s Labour Party’s landslide victory ended 14 years of Conservative rule. The U.S. and the UK remain key trans-Atlantic allies.
Biden will also host a dinner for NATO leaders on Wednesday, an event that has gained attention amid concerns about his capability to handle the presidency for another term.
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