Ukraine seeks NATO recognition as security contributor ahead of Ankara summit

Ukraine is seeking formal NATO recognition of its evolving role in the Euro-Atlantic security system, with officials suggesting a decision could be reached soon ahead of an upcoming alliance summit in Ankara.

Alyona Getmanchuk, head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, said Kyiv wants its status reflected in the summit’s final declaration, marking a shift from being viewed primarily as a recipient of support to a contributor to collective security, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

"Politically, it is very important to us that Ukraine be recognised as a security contributor. That is, specifically in the role of a security contributor, and not merely as a recipient of aid," Alyona Getmanchuk explains.

According to Getmanchuk, Ukraine hopes the Ankara summit will be the first NATO gathering in which it participates under this updated framing, though she emphasised that alliance members must formally acknowledge the change in the final communiqué.

She said Ukraine’s cooperation with NATO has deepened significantly in recent years, with greater integration into alliance structures and increasing contributions to shared security efforts playing a central role in the relationship.

By Sabina Mammadli