NATO Summit Hands Ukraine €70 Billion & Patriot License, Turkey Gets F-35 Green Light

The NATO summit in Ankara produced several landmark decisions that will reshape global security, with Ukraine emerging as the clear winner and Turkey securing a return to the F-35 program [193464].

NATO members pledged €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine this year and promised to maintain similar levels in 2027 [193464]. In a major shift, former US President Donald Trump opened the door for Ukraine to build American-made Patriot missile defense systems under license, allowing Kyiv to manufacture its own interceptors rather than relying solely on foreign supplies [192562][192096][193464].

The move comes as Ukraine struggles to keep up with Russian missile attacks. Ukrainian crews have been forced to innovate, using single-shot intercepts—firing one Patriot missile per target instead of the usual two—to conserve ammunition [192547]. They have also deployed $30,000 decoys to trick Russian missiles [192547]. Despite these tactics, Ukraine is running out of Patriot interceptors faster than allies can send replacements [192547].

However, experts warn production will take time. The White House must first resolve intellectual property rights and supply chain issues, and a single Boeing component manufactured in only two locations worldwide remains a major bottleneck [192548][193464].

In a separate development, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and signaled he would lift sanctions blocking Turkey's return to the F-35 fighter jet program [193464]. Turkey was expelled from the program in 2020 after buying Russia's S-400 air defense system. The possible deal has angered Greece, a NATO ally with a long history of conflict with Turkey [193464]. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias asked: "Is it in US interests to grant a major defense program to a country without guarantees it won't be used against another EU member?" [193464]

Russia warned Turkey not to sell or transfer its S-400 system to a third country. Possible solutions include moving the system to an overseas base or disabling it [193464].

Meanwhile, Germany has agreed to purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles, which will be stationed on German soil [192606]. Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Bundestag that the deal closes an "important strategic gap in our defense" [192606]. Tomahawk missiles are long-range, precision-guided weapons typically launched from ships or submarines [192606].