The meeting resulted in the adoption of the Washington Summit Declaration, which states that the Alliance was created to preserve peace and that NATO remains the strongest Alliance in history. Participants stressed unity and solidarity in the face of a brutal war of aggression on the European continent; reaffirmed the strong transatlantic bond between their nations. Noted that NATO remains a unique, important and indispensable transatlantic forum for consultation, coordination and action on all matters relating to individual and collective security. As a defensive Alliance, Allies have pledged to defend each other and every inch of Allied territory at all times, as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. They reaffirmed their readiness to continue to provide collective defence against all threats and from all directions, based on a comprehensive approach, in order to fulfil NATO's three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and crisis management, and cooperative security.
They reaffirmed their readiness to continue to provide collective defence against all threats and from all directions, based on a comprehensive approach, in order to fulfil NATO's three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and crisis management, and cooperative security. They also stressed that Allies share common values: individual freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Thus, all participants reaffirmed their commitment to international law, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and their commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.
The participants stressed that russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has destroyed peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and seriously undermined global security. russia remains the most significant and direct threat to the security of Allies. Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is the most direct and asymmetric threat to the security of their citizens and to international peace and prosperity.
The Allied Heads of State and Government also stated that the declared ambitions and coercive policies of the People's Republic of China (PRC) continue to challenge their interests, security and values. The deepening strategic partnership between russia and China and their mutual attempts to undermine and reshape the rules-based international order are deeply worrying.
At the 75th anniversary Summit, leaders stressed that they are taking further steps to strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defence, and to enhance long-term support for Ukraine so that it can win its fight for freedom, noting that they warmly welcome the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
The Declaration also notes the importance of accelerating the modernisation of the Alliance's collective defence, namely: ensuring that the necessary capabilities, resources and infrastructure are in place for new defence plans to be ready for a high-intensity and multidimensional collective defence; and building on the progress already made to ensure that increases in national defence spending and NATO's joint funding are commensurate with the challenges of a more contested security order.
Participants also noted that nuclear deterrence is a cornerstone of the Alliance's security. The fundamental purpose of NATO's nuclear capabilities is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. NATO remains committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the credibility, effectiveness, safety and security of the Alliance's nuclear deterrence mission, including by modernising its nuclear capabilities, strengthening its nuclear planning capabilities and adapting as necessary.
The NATO Heads of State and Government stressed that they look forward to meeting the President Zelenskyi in the NATO-Ukraine Council, reaffirming their unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their heroic defence of their nation, their land and our shared values. A strong, independent and democratic Ukraine is vital to the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. Ukraine's struggle for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders directly contributes to Euro-Atlantic security. Participating nations stressed that they welcome the announcements by Allies to provide Ukraine with critical additional air defence systems and other military capabilities.
To assist Ukraine in defending its country and in countering russian aggression in the future, Allies:
- decided to establish the NATO Security Assistance and Training Ukraine (NSATU) Programme to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training to Ukraine by Allies and partners. It aims to put security assistance to Ukraine on a solid footing, providing enhanced, predictable and consistent support. The NSATU, which will operate on the territory of Allies, will support Ukraine's self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter. Under international law, NSATU will not make NATO a party to a conflict. It will support the transformation of Ukraine's defence and security forces, which will facilitate its further integration into NATO.
- pledged long-term security assistance to Ukraine, which includes the provision of military equipment, assistance and training to support Ukraine in building a force capable of defeating russian aggression. Through proportionate contributions, Allies intend to provide a minimum core funding of €40 billion over the next year, as well as to ensure a sustainable level of security assistance to Ukraine.
- supported the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC).
- welcomed the Secretary General's decision to appoint a NATO Senior Representative to Ukraine.
The meeting also stressed that they fully support Ukraine's right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from external interference, stating that Ukraine's future lies with NATO and that Ukraine is becoming increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance. They also underlined the concrete progress made by Ukraine since the Vilnius Summit on the necessary democratic, economic and security reforms. They noted that they would continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership, and confirmed that they would be ready to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and the conditions are met. The decisions of the NATO Summit and the NATO-Ukraine Council, combined with the ongoing work of Allies, provide a bridge to Ukraine's membership.
NATO Allies have unanimously stated that russia bears full responsibility for its aggressive war against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter. Abuses and violations of human rights, war crimes and other violations of international law committed by russian military and officials cannot go unpunished. russia is responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians and has caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Participants condemned in the strongest terms russia's horrific attacks on the Ukrainian people, including on hospitals, on 8 July, stressing that russia must immediately end this war and withdraw all its troops from Ukraine fully and unconditionally in accordance with UN General Assembly resolutions. The participants also stated that they have never recognised russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
They stressed that russia is seeking to fundamentally change the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. The overarching threat posed by russia to NATO will continue in the long term. russia is rebuilding and expanding its military capabilities, and continues to violate its airspace and engage in provocative actions.
Participants condemned russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercive nuclear signalling, including its announced deployment of nuclear weapons in belarus, which demonstrates a posture of strategic intimidation. russia has increased its dependence on nuclear weapons systems and continues to diversify its nuclear forces, including by developing new nuclear systems and deploying short- and intermediate-range dual-use strike capabilities, which pose a growing threat to the Alliance. Participating nations expressed concern over reports of russia's use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces.
They also stated that russia has intensified its aggressive hybrid actions against Allies and has resorted to sabotage, acts of violence, provocation at Allied borders, instrumentalisation of illegal migration, malicious cyber activities, electronic interference, disinformation campaigns and malicious political influence, among others. These actions pose a threat to the security of Allies.
Special attention was also paid to countering terrorism, noting that Allies will continue to counter, deter, protect and respond to threats and challenges from terrorists and terrorist organisations, and called on all countries not to provide any assistance to russian aggression and condemned all those who contribute to and thus prolong russia's war in Ukraine.
Participants also stressed that the European Union remains a unique and important partner for NATO. NATO-EU cooperation has reached an unprecedented level. Practical cooperation has been strengthened and expanded in the areas of space, cyber security, climate and defence, and new technologies. In the context of Ukraine, NATO-EU cooperation has become more meaningful. NATO recognises the value of a stronger and more capable European defence that contributes positively to transatlantic and global security, and is complementary and interoperable with NATO.
As a result of the meeting, NATO Allies approved Pledge of Long-Term Security Assistance for Ukraine:
"Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine as a sovereign, democratic, independent state. For this, Ukraine needs our long-term support. Since the beginning of russia's aggression against Ukraine, Allies have provided unprecedented political, economic, military, financial and humanitarian support, including military assistance worth around €40 billion annually. Allies have also made their defence and industrial capabilities available to meet Ukraine's needs. All of this is having a significant effect, enabling Ukrainians to defend themselves effectively and inflicting real and serious losses on russia.
We reaffirm our commitment to support Ukraine in building a force capable of defeating russian aggression today and deterring it in the future. To this end, we intend to provide a minimum core funding of €40 billion over the next year and to ensure a sustainable level of security assistance to Ukraine, taking into account Ukraine's needs, our respective national budgetary processes and the bilateral security agreements Allies have concluded with Ukraine. The Heads of State and Government will review Allied contributions at future NATO Summits, starting with the NATO Summit in The Hague in 2025.
Our commitment extends to the costs of providing military equipment, assistance and training to Ukraine, including:
- Procurement of military equipment for Ukraine;
- In-kind assistance provided to Ukraine;
- Expenses related to the maintenance, logistics and transportation of military equipment for Ukraine;
- Military training costs for Ukraine;
- Operating costs related to the provision of military support to Ukraine;
- Investments and support for defence infrastructure and defence industry in Ukraine;
All contributions to NATO trust funds for Ukraine, including non-lethal assistance.
All Allied support to Ukraine in accordance with the above criteria will be counted, whether provided through NATO, bilaterally, multilaterally or otherwise. To maintain an equitable distribution of financial commitments, Allies will seek to meet them through proportionate contributions, including by taking into account their share of Alliance GDP.
Allies will report to NATO on the support provided under this commitment twice a year, with the first report to include contributions made after 1 January 2024. Based on this report, the Secretary General will provide Allies with an overview of all reported contributions.
In addition to the military support provided by this pledge, Allies intend to continue to provide political, economic, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine."