The war in Ukraine featured prominently at the NATO summit, which was held Tuesday and Wednesday in Türkiye. All eyes were on US President Donald Trump, whose position raised questions due to his ambiguous relationship with his Russian counterpart. At the end of the meeting, however, he chose to support Ukraine, like the other members of the Alliance.
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Before the summit, it remained uncertain whether Donald Trump would clearly show his support for Kyiv, unlike other NATO leaders.
“Unlike Europeans who, instinctively are pro-Ukrainian and against the Russians, judge that the Russians are an existential adversary to Europe. So, Trump is ambivalent. He is ambivalent, perhaps because he has sympathies for Vladimir Putin,” said political analyst Georges Mercier, in an interview on QUB radio and television, broadcast simultaneously on 99.5 FM Montreal, Wednesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit at the Bestepe presidential complex in Ankara, July 8, 2026.
AFP
The American president finally announced a “significant” offer that will allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missiles, essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
According to Mr. Mercier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky managed to convince Donald Trump by projecting the image of a leader who maintains the initiative on the ground.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivering an opening speech at the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara, July 7, 2026.
AFP
“He was quite clever, because we launched a long offensive to strike Russia, notably a range of refineries, to bring war to the Russians. This allows Zelensky to go to Trump and portray himself, not as a winner for the moment, but at least as someone who is on the offensive, who has momentum. And obviously, Donald Trump has respect for people who have momentum,” he explained.
Trust in Ukraine
For the analyst, the fact that Washington accepts that this technology is produced in Ukraine also demonstrates a certain level of confidence in Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to the press during a NATO summit at the Bestepe Presidential Complex in Ankara, July 8, 2026.
AFP
“Because it is cutting-edge technology, if it is produced on Ukrainian territory, that would mean that it is a trusted partner,” he stressed.
A change of allegiance
Donald Trump also estimated that the Ukrainian strikes carried out deep on Russian territory, even if they constitute an “escalation”, could ultimately “help” to end the war.
For Georges Mercier, these statements could signal that the American president “has changed his tune”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Photo d’archives
“The big unknown is: will he get a call from Vladimir Putin today or tomorrow? And as if by magic, after this call, well, it will decide whether it remains neutral or whether it leans towards Russia again,” he added.
To watch the full interview, click on the video above.
