FT: Allies hope Trump has become more supportive of Ukraine after strikes inside Russia

European leaders at the NATO summit in Ankara were surprised by the unexpectedly pro-Ukraine tone of US President Donald Trump, with some concluding that Ukraine's recent success in what Trump described as "long-range sanctions" had significantly influenced his position.

According to the Financial Times, NATO leaders were not surprised by Trump's renewed complaints about European allies. What did catch them off guard, however, were his unexpectedly warm remarks about Ukraine and his pledge to grant licences for the production of Patriot missiles. The comments reportedly fuelled cautious optimism that Trump may now adopt a more supportive stance towards Kyiv.

Unnamed officials told the Financial Times they hoped the remarks reflected a lasting shift in Washington's approach to supporting Ukraine and could lead to increased pressure on Russia.

"It's relatively simple. Trump likes winners. And Ukraine, recently, has started winning," said one NATO diplomat.

Another official, whose country was not identified, said Trump had signalled during the leaders' meeting that he was inclined to provide greater support for Ukraine and was considering additional steps to help Kyiv turn the course of the war in its favour.

A second anonymous official said the US president had sounded serious and statesmanlike during the discussions.

During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, Trump said that Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries are an escalation that could help bring the war to an end.

He also announced that the United States would purchase drones from Ukraine.