NATO summit in Washington: Ukraine's path to membership "irreversible", at least €40 billion in aid a year

Leaders of NATO's 32 members adopted a declaration at the Washington summit on July 10 stating that Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Allies pledged minimum baseline funding of 40 billion euros over the next year.

A new structure, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), was set up with a command in Wiesbaden, Germany, to coordinate equipment deliveries and training. The US, Germany, the Netherlands and Romania announced additional Patriot batteries and Italy a SAMP/T system, five strategic air defence systems in all. Denmark and the Netherlands said the transfer of F-16 fighter jets was under way.

China as a "decisive enabler"

For the first time, the declaration describes China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine because of its support for Russia's defence industry. Beijing rejected the charge. According to NATO figures, 23 of the 32 allies are spending at least two percent of GDP on defence this year.