At the recent NATO summit in Washington, DC, alliance leaders committed to providing Ukraine with $43 billion in military aid over the next year to enhance its defenses against Russia. This pledge was part of a comprehensive declaration that also placed Ukraine on an “irreversible path” to NATO membership, though the exact timeline remains contingent on member consensus and specific conditions.

During the summit, the United States, Netherlands, and Denmark announced that Ukrainian pilots would receive NATO-provided F-16 fighter jets by this summer. Additionally, the US confirmed the deployment of longer-range missiles to Germany by 2026, marking the most significant deployment of US weaponry in Europe since the Cold War. These steps aim to counter what NATO perceives as a growing Russian threat.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the new military support, stating that the fighter jets bring “just and lasting peace closer.” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership would be pursued post-conflict to prevent future Russian aggression. He clarified that NATO’s support aims to expedite the war’s end, not prolong it.

Despite substantial aid, Ukraine’s immediate NATO membership remains off the table, primarily to avoid escalating the current conflict. The communique highlighted that membership would follow post-war systemic reforms, including tackling corruption.

The summit also addressed China’s role, labeling it a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war efforts, marking the first time NATO collectively pointed to Beijing as a significant factor in the conflict.

US President Joe Biden, hosting the summit, underscored NATO’s unity and its commitment to defending all member territories. This gathering may be one of Biden’s final international appearances before the upcoming US election, where his political future remains uncertain.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State PJ Crowley remarked on the crucial yet potentially transient nature of these commitments, especially considering the political landscape and former President Donald Trump’s skeptical stance on alliances like NATO.