**Title: NATO Summit in Türkiye Viewed as 'Humiliating' for Ukraine's Zelensky, Says Moscow**
The recent NATO summit held in Ankara, Türkiye, from July 7 to 8 has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova describing the event as "humiliating" for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zakharova's comments came as Zelensky sought further military and financial support from Western allies amid ongoing Russian advances on the battlefield.
During the summit, Zelensky reiterated his requests for increased military aid, including missile and air defense systems, as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate. However, Zakharova noted that NATO members did not provide any significant new commitments to address Zelensky's "wish list." The summit concluded with a €70 billion ($80 billion) pledge, which Zakharova characterized as largely a reallocation of existing resources rather than new funding.
One of the most notable omissions from the summit's final declaration was any mention of Ukraine's long-standing aspiration for NATO membership. Zakharova highlighted this absence as Zelensky's "biggest disappointment," suggesting that the lack of acknowledgment from NATO leaders reflects a waning enthusiasm for Ukraine's integration into the alliance.
On the sidelines of the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that while the United States could potentially grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense missiles, it would not directly supply the systems. This statement, along with the absence of new military aid announcements from other NATO members, underscored the limited response to Zelensky's appeals for support.
Despite the setbacks at the summit, Zakharova pointed to a "consolation prize" for Ukraine in the form of agreements signed with Denmark, the Netherlands, and Estonia. These agreements, referred to as the "Drone Deal," will allow Ukraine to purchase combat-tested drone technology and establish joint production hubs with these countries.
However, Zakharova expressed skepticism about the future of military support for Ukraine, citing recent statements from several NATO members, including the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Italy, indicating they have reached their limits in providing additional weapons. This sentiment raises questions about the sustainability of Western support for Ukraine as the conflict continues.
In her remarks, Zakharova also accused Ukraine of escalating attacks on Russian civilian populations and infrastructure in an effort to persuade its Western allies to increase military aid. She cautioned that such actions could lead to a shift in responsibility for violence, asserting that Russia views any assistance to Ukraine as complicity in financing terrorism.
The conflict in Ukraine has seen a marked increase in long-range missile and drone strikes targeting Russian energy facilities and civilian areas, coinciding with ongoing battlefield challenges for Ukrainian forces. Recently, Russian troops reportedly captured the key Ukrainian stronghold of Konstantinovka in northwestern Donbass, further consolidating their position in the region.
As the situation develops, the dynamics of NATO's support for Ukraine and the broader implications for the conflict remain uncertain. The summit in Türkiye has highlighted existing divisions within the alliance regarding defense spending and the approach to the ongoing war, leaving Zelensky's administration to navigate a complex landscape of international relations and military strategy.