The NATO summit in Ankara was one of the most important, as the Alliance demonstrated tangible results and is now stronger than ever. This was stated by Tanya Hartman, Head of the Policy East Team of the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division at NATO Headquarters, during a special discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”

“This has been one of the most consequential summits that we have had in a long time. Last year in the Hague, we took important decisions, important commitments. And this was the year when we demonstrated action, we demonstrated that we were delivering, that we were actually showing what we were accomplishing. NATO is now stronger than ever: we are building more, we are buying more, we are procuring more, and we are delivering more. NATO’s deterrence and defence are stronger than they have ever been: we are ready – both in terms of political will and military capability – to defend all allies and every inch of Alliance territory,” she noted.

Hartman also emphasized the Alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine. At the same time, she noted that Ukraine is now a “provider and investor” in security. “Our support and commitment to Ukraine are unwavering. Not only in the just announced commitment to provide 70 billion euros of support in training equipment and other capabilities for Ukraine in 2026. We have also committed to doing the same next year so that Ukraine can defend itself against attacks and to strengthen the country’s security in the long term,” the NATO representative emphasized.

The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.

Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.

A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian here and in English here.

The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.