NATO allies are facing a shortfall of around €7 billion on their pledge to provide €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year, according to three alliance diplomats, a gap likely to hamper Kyiv's ability to buy equipment to fend off Russian missiles and drones this winter.
NATO's 32 member countries agreed in July to provide €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2026 and an equivalent sum in 2027. The target combines bilateral contributions throughout the year with €30 billion drawn from the EU's €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
The shortfall comes with less than two months left in the year, ahead of an alliance meeting on Nov. 17 where European capitals are expected to examine ways to boost funding and increase the transfer of critical weapons. While new NATO funding pledges are still expected, it is possible that allies may fail to meet this year's target, the diplomats said.
A NATO official said allies continue to provide essential military support to Ukraine to fulfill the pledge and are working to ensure that Ukraine has the support it needs now and into the future.
Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, Alyona Getmanchuk, "emphasised the importance for Ukraine of NATO Allies fulfilling the commitment made at the Ankara Summit to provide €70 billion in military support this year," according to a statement by the Ukrainian mission. The mission said it is essential to mobilise all partners to the fullest extent, accelerate new decisions and translate previously announced commitments into concrete deliveries of equipment or transfers of funds.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has also asked allies to dig deep for more money. "With winter coming, and with Russia's aggression unrelenting, allies need to do more, especially in support of air defense," he said during a recent visit to Tallinn.
The missing cash underscores growing difficulties faced by allied governments in continuing to finance Ukraine. The US, once the main giver, has stopped almost all new aid since Donald Trump returned to the White House, leaving European countries as Ukraine's key supporters. But many capitals face growing fiscal strains, and countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Nordic nations, which have historically provided outsized contributions, have repeatedly called on others to give more. There is "some fatigue" from the largest donors, which have repeatedly financed packages, one diplomat said.
The shortfall includes a $1.9 billion gap in funding for unpaid deliveries under NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, a scheme through which European allies buy critical US weapons such as Patriot interceptors for Kyiv, two of the diplomats said. Allies remain skeptical they will meet Rutte's target of $15 billion for the scheme this year. "I do not think that there's a chance we will meet that," one NATO diplomat said. Ukraine's NATO mission said 29 allies have now contributed to the scheme. Since its launch in 2025, it has raised around $9 billion in total contributions, the two diplomats added.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The shortfall could hamper Ukraine's ability to buy vital equipment to fend off Russian missiles and drones this winter, as Russia steps up its bombing campaign and more than 40 people were reportedly killed in a school bombing this week.
- A missed target would mark the first failure of the 2026 pledge and expose growing limits on European willingness and capacity to finance the war effort, with the US having stopped almost all new aid.
- The Nov. 17 alliance meeting will test whether European capitals can turn commitments into concrete deliveries of equipment and funds, especially for air defense.
Background
At the Ankara Summit in July, NATO's 32 member countries pledged €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2026 and an equivalent sum for 2027. Funding flows through programs including the alliance's non-lethal aid scheme, the Comprehensive Assistance Package, and the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, under which European allies buy critical US weapons such as Patriot interceptors for Kyiv. The US, once the main giver, has stopped almost all new aid since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, leaving European countries as Ukraine's key supporters.
Key Perspectives
- NATO official: says allies continue to provide essential military support to Ukraine to fulfill the pledge and are working to ensure Ukraine has the support it needs now and into the future.
- Ukraine's NATO mission: says it is essential to mobilise all partners to the fullest extent, accelerate new decisions and translate previously announced commitments into concrete deliveries of equipment or transfers of funds.
- Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General: says with winter coming and Russia's aggression unrelenting, allies need to do more, especially in support of air defense.
- A NATO diplomat: says there is "some fatigue" from the largest donors, which have repeatedly financed packages, and says there is no chance of meeting the $15 billion target for the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List this year.
What to Watch
- Whether allies close the €7 billion gap before the end of the year, including the $1.9 billion shortfall in unpaid deliveries under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List.
- The Nov. 17 NATO meeting, where European capitals are expected to examine ways to boost funding and increase the transfer of critical weapons to Ukraine.
- Whether Rutte's $15 billion target for the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List is met, after allies expressed skepticism it can be reached.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedGetmanchuk said she “emphasised the importance for Ukraine of NATO Allies fulfilling the commitment made at the Ankara Summit to provide €70 billion in military support this year.”Politico Europe: “Ukraine’s ambassador to NATO Alyona Getmanchuk “emphasised the importance for Ukraine of NATO Allies fulfilling the commitment made at the Ankara Summit to provide €70 billion in military support this year,” according to a statement by the Ukrainian mission.”
- SupportedRutte said, “With winter coming, and with Russia's aggression unrelenting, allies need to do more, especially in support of air defense.”Politico Europe: ““With winter coming, and with Russia's aggression unrelenting, allies need to do more, especially in support of air defense,” he said during a recent visit to Tallinn.”
- SupportedA NATO diplomat said, “I do not think that there's a chance we will meet that.”Politico Europe: ““I do not think that there’s a chance we will meet that,” said the same NATO diplomat cited above.”
- SupportedNATO faces a shortfall of around €7 billion on its Ukraine military aid pledge.Politico Europe: “NATO allies face a €7 billion funding gap for Ukraine this year”
- SupportedDiplomats say NATO may miss its €70 billion goal for 2026.Politico Europe: “NATO’s 32 member countries agreed in July to provide €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2026 and an equivalent sum in 2027. But the alliance now faces a shortfall of around €7 billion”
- SupportedKyiv is pressing for more air defences.Politico Europe: “NATO allies face a €7 billion funding gap for Ukraine this year as Russia steps up its bombing campaign and Kyiv calls for more air defenses.”
- SupportedThree alliance diplomats said allies face the shortfall on the €70 billion pledge.Politico Europe: “But the alliance now faces a shortfall of around €7 billion, with less than two months until the end of the year, according to three alliance diplomats”
- SupportedNATO’s 32 member countries agreed in July to provide €70 billion in aid in 2026 and an equivalent sum in 2027.Politico Europe: “NATO’s 32 member countries agreed in July to provide €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2026 and an equivalent sum in 2027.”
- SupportedThe €70 billion target combines bilateral contributions during the year with €30 billion from the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine.Politico Europe: “The target combines bilateral contributions throughout the year and €30 billion drawn from the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine.”
- SupportedAn alliance meeting on Nov. 17 is expected to examine ways to boost funding and increase weapons transfers.Politico Europe: “The shortfall comes ahead of an alliance meeting on Nov. 17 where European capitals are expected to examine ways to boost funding and increase the transfer of critical weapons to Ukraine.”
- SupportedThe shortfall includes a $1.9 billion gap in funding for unpaid deliveries under PURL.Politico Europe: “The shortfall includes a $1.9 billion gap in funding for unpaid PURL deliveries, two of the diplomats said.”
- SupportedAllies remain skeptical they will meet Rutte’s $15 billion target for PURL this year.Politico Europe: “Separately, allies remain skeptical that they will meet Rutte’s target of $15 billion for PURL this year.”