India, July 9 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation concluded its high-stakes, two-day summit in Turkey on Wednesday with a sweeping declaration of financial unity, pledging 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in fresh military aid for Ukraine.

The massive funding commitment came as US President Donald Trump dramatically shifted his tone on the conflict, projecting intense optimism regarding a potential peace settlement during a highly anticipated, surprisingly friendly face-to-face appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The joint appearance on the summit's final day marked a sharp departure from the bitter public fractures that characterised relations between Washington and Kyiv over the past year.

In a move that caugh...