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The NATO Summit in Ankara marked a significant shift in the Alliance’s approach to Ukraine by officially recognizing the country as a contributor to transatlantic security rather than solely a recipient of assistance, according to Yehor Cherniev, head of Ukraine’s delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
In an interview with Ukrinform, Cherniev said the summit reflected the changing security landscape in Europe.
“The summit acknowledged the objective changes that have taken place in Europe’s security environment. Ukraine has become a security provider and an important regional player, and this has now been officially recognized. We also received the promised assistance package, which represents NATO’s investment in its own security,” he said.
Cherniev described U.S. President Donald Trump’s evolving position on Ukraine as one of the summit’s most important developments.
“A pleasant surprise was Trump’s change of stance and his willingness to authorize the production of Patriot missiles for Ukraine. This fundamentally changes the strategic situation not only during the war but also in the region in the post-war period,” he said.
He also highlighted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s role, saying his position sent an important signal of support.
“These are key figures who wield considerable influence in today’s world, and their pressure on Putin could prove decisive,” Cherniev said.
Commenting on the summit declaration, the Ukrainian lawmaker described it as a balanced compromise. He noted that European allies secured language recognizing Russia as a long-term threat to NATO, while the United States obtained support for its position on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Cherniev emphasized that, for the first time, NATO officially recognized Ukraine as a country contributing to the Alliance’s collective security.
Addressing the absence of language describing Ukraine’s future NATO membership as irreversible, he argued that practical cooperation with the Alliance has already reached a level comparable to membership.
“Ukraine is already a de facto NATO member, and the extent of the Alliance’s support is in many ways comparable to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. If, after the war, the United States closes the skies over Ukraine, as Trump has promised, that would amount to full membership,” he said.
He added that formal accession could follow once the necessary conditions are met.
Cherniev also welcomed NATO’s commitment to long-term financial support, noting that the Alliance has pledged €70 billion for Ukraine in both 2026 and 2027.
“It is only natural that European countries and Canada are assuming the main financial burden, because containing Russia has now become their area of responsibility, while the United States is focusing on the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
The NATO Summit in Ankara, held on July 7-8, focused on increasing defense spending, strengthening the European pillar of the Alliance, and sustaining support for Ukraine. Among its decisions, Allies pledged €140 billion in military assistance to Ukraine over the next two years and formally acknowledged Ukraine’s contribution to transatlantic security.
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