Head of Ukrainian NATO PA delegation: Ankara Summit recognizes Ukraine's new security role

Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and a member of Ukraine's parliament, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"The summit acknowledged the objective changes that had 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," Cherniev said.

According to him, one of the summit's most significant outcomes was a shift in U.S. President Donald Trump's position on Ukraine.

"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.

Cherniev also stressed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's position sent an important signal to Ukraine.

"These are key figures who wield considerable influence in today's world, and their pressure on Putin could prove decisive," the lawmaker said.

Commenting on the summit's final declaration, Cherniev described it as a balanced document that took into account the interests of all parties.

According to him, the European allies succeeded in securing language recognizing Russia as a long-term threat to NATO, while the United States obtained the Alliance's support for its position on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, along with a call on Tehran to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, Cherniev noted that Ukraine was officially recognized for the first time as a country that contributes to transatlantic security rather than merely receiving assistance.

Commenting on the absence of any reference in the declaration to the irreversibility of Ukraine's NATO membership, Cherniev argued that the current level of practical cooperation is already approaching full Alliance 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 the formal legal accession process could take place later, once the necessary conditions are in place.

Cherniev also welcomed NATO's decision on long-term financial support for Ukraine.

"NATO has committed €70 billion for Ukraine in 2026 and the same amount in 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," the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly said.

As reported by Ukrinform, the NATO Summit was held in Ankara on July 7-8. Its main topics included increasing defense spending, strengthening the European pillar of the Alliance, and continuing support for Ukraine.

Among other decisions, the Allies pledged to provide Ukraine with €140 billion in military assistance over the next two years. The summit also marked the first official recognition at the NATO level of Ukraine as a country that contributes to transatlantic security.