The NATO summit in Ankara has become one of the most successful for Ukraine in recent times. Despite concerns about the position of US President Donald Trump and possible contradictions within the Alliance, the meeting ended with a number of important political and practical decisions. Political scientist Oleh Lisnyi stated this in an exclusive comment to UNN.
The summit exceeded even the most optimistic expectations
The political scientist emphasizes that even on the eve of the summit, there were serious concerns both about Donald Trump's behavior and about possible splits within NATO. At the same time, the results of the meeting, according to him, turned out to be much better than even the most optimistic experts had predicted.
This is the summit that has probably exceeded even the most positive expectations. There were many psychological moments that made it seem that certain decisions were simply impossible. We all saw the mood with which Donald Trump arrived at the summit and how his initial rhetoric seemed not very constructive. But by the end of the meeting, he was actually constantly talking about the unity of the Alliance. It was a completely different tone. On the Ukrainian issue, he also demonstrated a constructive position, speaking positively about the President of Ukraine, his team, and the state itself. His rhetoric could not but evoke a positive perception
According to the expert, the practical results of the summit, which could affect the further development of Ukrainian-American cooperation, were no less important.
If we look at the specific results, they are indeed very promising. The very emergence of the topic of a license for the production of Patriot systems in Ukraine signifies a qualitative change in relations with the United States. It is clear that there is still a path to go from a political statement to practical implementation, but the very fact of such negotiations is very indicative. The same applies to American interest in Ukrainian drones. The US President gave them high praise, and quite recently such rhetoric seemed almost impossible. This demonstrates a change in attitude towards the Ukrainian military-industrial complex
NATO maintained unity despite pessimistic forecasts
Lisnyi noted that before the summit, many experts predicted a possible fragmentation of NATO or even a significant distancing of the US from its European allies. However, these scenarios did not materialize.
Before the start of the summit, there were many concerns. There was even talk of a possible fragmentation of NATO, of the emergence of different groups of states within the Alliance - those who fulfill their financial obligations and those who do not. This did not happen. Likewise, there were forecasts that the United States would essentially step aside and cease to play a key role. Europe's role is indeed partially growing, but we did not see any open confrontation between the US and other allies. And this is very important both for the security of Ukraine and for the security of all of Europe
Separately, he emphasized that the financial decisions of the summit became an important signal for both Ukraine and Russia.
The financial support that was confirmed before and during the summit is of enormous importance. These are not only funds from NATO, but also bilateral agreements, new aid packages, including from Canada and other partners. This is a signal to us and to Russia that support for Ukraine is not stopping, it is already planned for the future. This is precisely what has strategic significance today
A ceasefire without security guarantees will only give Russia time
During the conversation, special attention was paid to discussions about a possible ceasefire this fall. According to the political scientist, such logic could be dangerous. He explains that the very fact of a pause in hostilities does not guarantee peace if effective mechanisms for deterring Russia do not exist.
I have thought a lot about this logic – that we must stop the fire by autumn at all costs to prevent a new large-scale mobilization in Russia. But, in my opinion, this is a flawed approach. If a ceasefire is not accompanied by real security guarantees, what will prevent Putin from using this time to rebuild the army, repair equipment, accumulate resources, and carry out that same mobilization? Absolutely nothing. He will simply do it without active hostilities.
At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine should not lose the pace of developing its own defense industry.
Two can play this game. We will not sit idly by either. We will continue to invest in our own defense, ramp up production, and develop our own capabilities. That is why it is very important not to lose the initiative now.
Ukraine has received a unique "window of opportunity"
Lisnyi believes that the current situation is playing in Ukraine's favor for the first time in a long while. According to him, it is the successful long-range strikes on Russian territory that have changed the attitude of Western partners toward the prospects of the war.
Today we have a window of opportunity. It is the successful strikes on Russian territory that have become one of the reasons why the West has started looking at Ukraine completely differently. Just a few months ago, everyone was only talking about the difficult situation, but now Ukraine is demonstrating that even under such conditions it remains a strong state capable of waging modern warfare. The Russians cannot achieve the results they were counting on precisely because the Ukrainian army does not allow them to do so.
At the same time, he emphasized that the desire for peace does not contradict the need to continue military pressure.
It is wrong to say that Ukraine does not need peace. We strive for peace. But we strive for a peace that will be achieved by forcing the aggressor, not through our weakness. What Ukraine is doing now is influencing not only Russia's position but also the position of our partners. It is no coincidence that at the NATO summit, many politicians said that it was Ukrainian strikes that changed the Kremlin's approach and forced Russia to reconsider its own demands.
According to him, it is important not to stop prematurely now.
If you can apply pressure today, you must apply pressure. This is confirmed by both the military and even some Russian experts who admit that strikes on fuel infrastructure have a very serious psychological and economic effect. Gasoline is not just the ability to refuel a car. It is logistics, prices, transportation, the economy, production. It is a much broader issue.
The delay in Trump's call to Putin may be indicative
The political scientist drew attention to another important political signal - after the summit, Donald Trump did not rush to call Vladimir Putin, although previously such contacts occurred almost immediately.
Of course, we do not know all of Donald Trump's logic, but the very fact that an immediate call to Putin did not take place after the summit already looks indicative. Previously, literally minutes passed between such contacts. Now this did not happen. This does not mean that there will be no conversation at all, but it is obvious that its context is already completely different.
Rubio's taking over the word regarding strikes on Russia was a positive signal
The expert also drew attention to a moment during Donald Trump's interaction with journalists, when the question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries was actually commented on by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
I find it very indicative that it was Marco Rubio who answered the question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. He very clearly explained the American position, and Donald Trump essentially supported it, adding that such escalation could lead to an end to the war. If this position is confirmed by concrete actions, it will mean that Ukraine is on the right track. And the fact that Trump is starting to delegate such issues to his people also looks like a positive signal. I haven't seen this kind of behavior pattern from him in a long time.
Zelenskyy wants to end the war and move to rebuilding Ukraine - Trump08.07.26, 17:55