Ukraine will receive military support equivalent to 40 billion euros. This is stated in the final declaration from the NATO meeting. However, a formal invitation to the defense alliance will have to wait.
As early as the second day of the three-day meeting, the declaration was presented, but without any major surprises regarding the content. The economic support to Ukraine was what had been previously discussed, namely equivalent to approximately 450 billion Swedish kronor in support in the war against Russia.
This agreement is, however, written for one year, unlike the proposal presented by NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, which suggested a five-year support.
Not legally binding
The agreement will not be legally binding for future governments. This could mean a change if, for example, Donald Trump becomes president of the United States in the fall. Trump has previously been outspokenly critical of NATO and the extent to which the US has been forced to contribute when it comes to defense allocations.
On X, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson comments on the final declaration: "The summit declaration, which now sets out the work within NATO for the coming year, shows the alliance's unity and strength. We are well-equipped to meet common challenges in an uncertain world situation," he writes.
From Ukraine's perspective, the hope is to join NATO's community. However, they will have to continue to wait. In the final declaration, NATO writes that "Ukraine's future lies within NATO" and the path is "irreversible", the wording that had also previously leaked out.
Training of Ukrainian soldiers
Ulf Kristersson also highlights that an agreement has been reached within NATO regarding the coordination of military equipment and the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
"This is an important message to Ukraine, but also to Europe – not least for countries in Ukraine's vicinity, including Sweden," he writes on X.
Besides Ukraine, China is also mentioned in the declaration, in very critical terms. The defense alliance writes that the partnership with Russia regarding China is a cause for "deep concern". This is unique since China has not been mentioned in previous versions.
China's President Xi Jinping has previously emphasized that China is neutral in the Ukraine war. However, it has recently been reported that Chinese and Russian companies have manufactured a type of attack drone that can be used against Ukraine.
