Strengthening Ukraine’s air defense will be the central focus of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, as stated by Patrick Bolder, a strategic analyst at the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), in a commentary for Ukrinform. The ability of the Alliance to equip Ukraine with modern systems against drones and ballistic missiles is deemed critical for the upcoming winter season.
Bolder argues that the summit must address the reliability of the United States as an ally and the necessity of maintaining transatlantic unity. Beyond simple hardware pledges, the discussion will revolve around the execution of previous commitments made in The Hague. With Russian forces continuously targeting critical civilian infrastructure, the need for a rapid response is more acute than ever.
The expert emphasizes that the effectiveness of the defense depends on how quickly Western partners can transition from pledges to deployment. As Ukraine continues to innovate, developing its own domestic capabilities, the synergy between Western technology and Ukrainian strategic adaptability is becoming the backbone of the resistance against Russian aggression. The summit in Ankara will serve as a definitive test of the Alliance’s resolve: whether it can sustain its support to effectively protect Ukrainian skies in the face of ongoing existential threats. Failure to align on these priorities could have significant security implications for the entire European continent.