NATO Pledges €70 Billion Annual Military Aid to Ukraine at Ankara Summit

At the NATO summit in Ankara, allies are set to announce a €70 billion annual military support commitment for Ukraine over two years, formally recognizing Kyiv as a security contributor. Separately, a new IISS report reveals Russia conducted an 18-month drone campaign over Europe using shadow fleet vessels, exposing NATO air defense gaps. The UK also scrambled F-35 jets after a Russian aircraft dangerously approached the HMS Prince of Wales in the Norwegian Sea.

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NATO allies pledge €70 billion annual military aid to Ukraine The NATO summit in Ankara is expected to approve a two-year commitment worth €70 billion annually for Ukraine, alongside new air defense deals and defense industry agreements. Ukrainian President Zelensky will join leaders and receive a summit pledge recognizing Ukraine as a contributor to alliance security. 1 2

IISS: Russia ran 18-month drone campaign over Europe via shadow fleet A new International Institute for Strategic Studies report assesses that Russia conducted a strategic UAV campaign over sensitive NATO sites across Europe between August 2024 and February 2026, likely using shadow fleet vessels as launch platforms. The campaign exposed gaps in NATO air defense and disrupted military operations and commercial aviation. 3

UK scrambles F-35 jets after Russian aircraft approaches carrier Britain said a Russian Bear-F maritime patrol aircraft flew dangerously close to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the Norwegian Sea on July 2, prompting F-35 interceptors to scramble. The incident, described as unsafe and unprofessional, underscores heightened tensions ahead of the NATO summit. 4