Alyona Getmanchuk NATO has undergone a “mental shift” over Ukraine’s role, with member states recognising at leaders’ level for the first time that Kyiv is a contributor to Euro-Atlantic security, according to Ukraine’s envoy to the Alliance. Alyona Getmanchuk said the change could unlock greater support for Ukraine’s defence and transform Western assistance from simple aid into an investment in the security of NATO members themselves. Ukraine is no longer being viewed simply as a recipient Getmanchuk said the declaration marked the first time NATO leaders had formally described Ukraine as a contributor to Euro-Atlantic security. That recognition, she argued, creates a stronger basis for allies to increase their financial backing for Ukraine’s defence and domestic weapons production. The emphasis is increasingly shifting away from simply transferring Western weapons. Instead, NATO countries can help finance Ukraine’s own defence industry and capabilities. Kyiv’s defence spending could now benefit NATO Getmanchuk said supporting Ukraine’s defence production could effectively be counted as investment in the national security of NATO states. The approach follows decisions reached at the NATO summit in The Hague, where member states agreed that military support and investment in Ukraine’s defence production could count towards their own defence spending commitments. NATO countries also committed to raising defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035. The Russia threat is driving the change The shift comes as concerns grow over Europe’s ability to withstand a prolonged confrontation with Russia. Military planners have warned that European forces could struggle in a long war of attrition because of gaps in combat readiness, while NATO officials are increasingly focused on Russian hybrid attacks against critical infrastructure. US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said Washington was prepared to support allies facing Russian hybrid threats, including attacks involving drones. He warned that energy infrastructure and other critical facilities could become future targets. For Ukraine, the message is significant: its defence is increasingly being framed not as a European burden, but as part of Europe’s own security strategy. NATO's stance on Ukraine has seen a mental shift, envoy says
