Trump Shows Support to Ukraine in NATO Meeting

Just three days ago, President Trump met with members of NATO in Ankara, Turkey to discuss the Ukraine and Russia war. Previously, the US had been very supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russia, but under Mr. Trump’s leadership, Ukraine has received less support.

NATO, a political and military alliance of 32 countries in North America and Europe, has helped Ukraine and opposed Russia ever since the war started (NATO Oten). The US, which is part of NATO, provides about $800 billion and 64% of the alliance’s total defense spending (Council of Foreign Relations).

The US has been one of Ukraine’s biggest allies in the war. They have provided them with weapons, intelligence, and training for their soldiers. The US has spent nearly $195 billion on Ukraine in the past few years following the start of the war. Under President Trump, there has been little to no aid provided to Ukraine, although he did allow NATO to buy advanced weapons and transfer them to Ukraine in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List (CFR).

At the recent NATO meeting in Turkey, support for Ukraine’s war efforts from the US wasn’t obvious. The president has frequently changed his public views about the war. One of the instances was scolding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in public for not thanking the United States for their support and help.

However, this time Mr. Trump has agreed to consider a few of Mr. Zelensky’s demands including the license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, something he has constantly pushed for (Breaking Defense).

“President Zelensky emerged as a clear winner from the NATO Summit in Turkey,” said John Herbst, former US ambassador to Ukraine and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. “The Patriot air defense system should be able to protect the civilians from Russian ballistic missiles”, he says. (Atlantic Council).

Although this meeting didn’t directly help Ukraine to win the war, the promises of support and offers of help from the members of NATO are sure to help them.