Italy Blocks NATO’s $80 Billion Loan Proposal to Ukraine Ahead of Ankara Summit
On Tuesday evening, NATO members failed to reach an agreement on providing an $80 billion loan to Ukraine in 2027, ahead of the alliance’s upcoming summit in Ankara. Diplomatic sources reported that Italy’s opposition to the financial package has stalled the decision-making process.
According to international media, the main disagreement centered on the timing and continuity of financial and military aid to Ukraine. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that Italy’s position has so far prevented a final consensus on the future aid framework.
A draft statement for the Ankara summit foresees allocating €70 billion in 2026 for weapons, support, and training of Ukrainian forces, a plan supported by several NATO representatives. However, the proposal to include a commitment to continue aid into 2027 “at least at a comparable level” faced opposition from Italy and was left unresolved.
At the same time, the United States opposed the inclusion of the phrase “inseparable link” between Ukraine’s and Europe’s security in the statement. These disagreements highlight that despite sustained support for Kyiv, a full consensus among NATO members on the scope and framework of long-term commitments has yet to be reached.
