Newsletters
Ukraine expects the NATO summit in Ankara next month to deliver strong political messages and concrete air defense commitments, with Kyiv specifically anticipating firm allied pledges on new air defense systems for Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said in response to a question from a Turkish journalist.
Tykhyi said Ukraine expected NATO allies to demonstrate unity and determination on military support for the country, with particular emphasis on air defense systems. He also expressed hope that this support would be long-term, strategic in nature, and will grow over time.
"We expect NATO allies to show unity and determination on providing military support to Ukraine, particularly strong commitments in the area of air defense systems. We also value their confirming that this support will be long-term and strategic in nature and will increase," he said.
He said some solutions for providing additional air defense systems to strengthen Ukraine's defense had already been agreed upon.
"We believe the NATO summit in Ankara will be a very suitable platform for at least some of these decisions to be announced publicly," he said, adding, "we also desire to reach these results before the summit and put them into practice earlier."
Tykhyi offered a notably warm assessment of Türkiye's role, calling it "one of NATO's most special and strategic allies" with one of the world's most powerful militaries and most advanced defense industries, as well as "the main guarantor of security and peace in the Black Sea region."
"Since 2022, Türkiye has achieved concrete results in peace efforts that no other country has been able to achieve. From the Black Sea Grain Initiative to the rounds of negotiations held in Istanbul last year, many important developments have come to fruition through Türkiye's contributions," he said.
"We greatly value Türkiye's role. We also appreciate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's personal contribution to achieving these results," Tykhyi added.
"For this reason, we believe the current period is one of the most suitable for the NATO summit to take place. The fact that it will be held in Ankara is extremely important. World leaders will come together here, and we expect strong messages to be delivered, particularly strong and concrete messages regarding air defense," the official stated.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
5 min read
