NATO allies are preparing to commit €140 billion (approximately $160 billion) in military, financial, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine over this year and next, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday ahead of the alliance's summit in Ankara.

Speaking to Deutschlandfunk radio before the opening of the 36th NATO Summit, Wadephul said the funding package—provided exclusively by European allies and Canada—would demonstrate the alliance's continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia.

"We can commit 140 billion euros to Ukraine for 2026 and next year, drawn solely from European and Canadian contributions," Wadephul said. "This will be a very strong signal of support to Ukraine."

The announcement comes as NATO leaders gather in Ankara to discuss collective security, defense spending, and long-term assistance for Kyiv amid the ongoing war, now in its fifth year.

Wadephul argued that recent battlefield developments indicate Ukraine has improved its ability to strike military targets deep inside Russia, suggesting that sustained Western military assistance has strengthened Kyiv's operational capabilities.

He said continued political, economic, and military pressure on Moscow is necessary to persuade Russia to engage in meaningful peace negotiations.

"Europe is ready to engage in negotiations," Wadephul said, referring to last month's meeting in London involving German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"Now it is up to Vladimir Putin to finally understand that he will not win this conflict on the battlefield, but that negotiations are the appropriate course of action."

Support for Ukraine remains one of the central issues at the Ankara summit, where allied leaders are expected to reaffirm their long-term commitment to Kyiv while strengthening NATO's collective deterrence and defense posture.

Officials are also discussing expanded cooperation on air defense systems, ammunition production, military training, intelligence sharing, and defense industrial capacity to ensure Ukraine can sustain its defense against Russian forces.

The proposed €140 billion package would rank among the largest collective commitments made by NATO allies since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The latest pledge reflects Europe's increasingly prominent role in supporting Ukraine, as European governments seek to assume greater responsibility for the country's long-term security while coordinating closely with North American allies.

Diplomats attending the summit said discussions are also expected to focus on accelerating defense production across NATO, increasing defense spending beyond existing targets, and enhancing the alliance's readiness to respond to evolving security challenges.

Although Ukrainian membership in NATO remains a long-term objective, alliance officials have emphasized that their immediate priority is ensuring Ukraine has the military and financial resources needed to defend its territory and strengthen its position in any future negotiations with Russia.

The Ankara summit is expected to conclude with a joint declaration reaffirming NATO's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, continued military assistance, and the alliance's broader strategy of reinforcing Euro-Atlantic security in the face of ongoing regional threats. (ILKHA)