---
title: "NATO pledges €70B Ukraine aid, boosts defense at Ankara"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/80474/nato-pledges-70b-ukraine-aid-boosts-defense-at-ankara
published: 2026-07-09T10:11:10Z
language: en
author: "Luminița Toma"
section: "International"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# NATO pledges €70B Ukraine aid, boosts defense at Ankara

> NATO leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty as the Ankara Summit concluded on Wednesday, July 8. Allies agreed on major new defense investments, including at least €70 billion in military support for Ukraine in 2026, with an equivalent level planned for 2027.

[Video: https://trm.blob.core.windows.net/photos/11e347ba-77c8-45e0-b7e6-8bd6ec55dc1e.jpg](https://original.trm.md/video/definst/MP4:2026/7/8/nato.mp4/playlist.m3u8)

NATO leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty as the Ankara Summit concluded on Wednesday, July 8. Allies agreed on major new defense investments, including at least €70 billion in military support for Ukraine in 2026, with an equivalent level planned for 2027.

![nato.int](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/ab2612b0-3992-449d-b5e1-7c935a811769.jpg)

*Sursa: nato.int*

In their joint declaration, heads of state and government reiterated that an attack on one Ally is an attack on all. They emphasized that allied unity remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security amidst long-term threats from Russia and persistent terrorism risks.

**Rutte highlights rapid defense investment growth**

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that decisions made last year in The Hague are already operational. He noted that total defense investment has reached 4% just one year into a ten-year plan.

*"Allies continue to raise core defense spending and broader investments that strengthen our collective security,"* Rutte stated, emphasizing that the focus has decisively shifted from setting targets to delivering concrete results.

**€70 billion package and new defense initiatives**

The Alliance announced procurement contracts exceeding $50 billion and launched *"NATO’s Drone Edge,"* a $40 billion program dedicated to uncrewed systems over the next five years. Additionally, Rutte unveiled a €27 billion investment to modernize NATO's fuel supply infrastructure, expanding storage and pipeline capacity toward the Eastern Flank.

Allies also committed to advancing air and missile defense, long-range precision strike capabilities, artificial intelligence, and an interoperable transatlantic cloud system for military operations.

Political and military support for Ukraine remains steadfast. *"As long as Russia continues its war, we will ensure Ukraine receives everything it needs,"* Rutte said, describing the Alliance's updated strategy as "NATO 3.0"—a stronger Europe within a more resilient NATO, safeguarding one billion citizens.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**