MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. NATO is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine at the Ankara summit; the EU is pressuring opponents of sanctions against Russia to adopt the 21st restrictions package. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has readmitted Russia to international sports. These stories topped Wednesday’s headlines in Russia.
Izvestia: NATO summit to determine support for Ukraine
Experts believe that the new military aid package NATO is preparing for Ukraine at the Ankara summit will not tip the scales in Kiev’s favor. While the 70 billion euros earmarked for Ukraine is unprecedented in scale, it will only be enough to extend the conflict, not turn the tide. European countries and Canada will cover the package because the US has declined to participate directly. Meanwhile, the Europeans’ own resources are dwindling, and some have acknowledged that they have almost nothing left to offer Kiev. At the same time, the allies are finalizing multibillion-dollar defense deals at the summit, which Washington has long urged them to do.
Meanwhile, the deep-seated disagreements between the US and Europe have not disappeared. US President Donald Trump accuses the allies of "not standing by" the US during its operation against Iran. Washington has also announced a reassessment of the deployment of American troops in Europe. According to St. Petersburg State University professor Natalya Yeremina, there is no unified position among NATO allies, while Washington is forming its approach based on the principle of minimal involvement in the conflict while maximizing financial returns: the US is ready to support purchases made within the country but has no intention of assuming direct commitments.
