NATO leaders convened in Ankara for a summit addressing disputes over defense spending targets, Ukraine aid commitments, and the future US military presence in Europe [2][4][10]. The gathering brings together allies at a moment when the Trump administration has halted US military support for Ukraine and is demanding that all members move toward spending 5% of GDP on defense by 2035 [8][10].
President Donald Trump described the US relationship with NATO as "ridiculous" and "one sided" ahead of the summit, stating that the United States spends more on NATO than any other country without receiving benefit [2][4]. Trump also cited his disappointment that allies refused to become more actively involved in US operations against Iran [4]. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte pushed back on Trump's complaint, noting that 4,000 to 5,000 US planes flew out of European bases during the Iran conflict and describing European reluctance as isolated cases rather than a collective failure [10]. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said Trump "fully expects that all allies will step up immediately and get on the path to 5% and do it with urgency," identifying Poland, Nordic countries, the Baltics, and Germany as leaders while others lag behind [10]. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a NATO foreign ministers' meeting that "there are going to be eventually less US troops in Europe than there has historically been," and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered a six-month review of the full US force posture in Europe [10].
European NATO members and Canada are pledging approximately 140 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine over 2026 and 2027, combining EU loans and bilateral contributions to replace US funding after the Trump administration halted its military support [1][2][8][14]. The draft summit declaration names Russia as a threat and commits 70 billion euros for 2026 with at least equivalent levels in 2027, with 60 billion euros from EU loans and 40 billion euros annually from bilateral contributions [8][14]. Germany pushed for the written commitment while Italy pushed back [5]. French President Emmanuel Macron's office stated that France will not replace US capabilities but called for a new European capability model for NATO [1].
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed back against Trump's characterization of European spending as "ridiculous," stating: "This is the greatest effort we have ever made to strengthen our defense capabilities. In that respect, we have nothing to be ashamed of" [2]. Merz insisted Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years and explained the NATO decision to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of GDP in a government statement citing deterrence and alliance solidarity [2][22].
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda warned that NATO risks splitting into two or three parts if some members reach the 5% GDP target while others remain at 2 to 2.5 percent, undermining collective defense spirit and solidarity [7]. Spain secured a formal exemption from the 5% target provided it meets capability benchmarks [20]. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will bring data showing Italy's defense spending at 2.8% of GDP and faces a potential confrontation with Trump over burden-sharing [18]. The Institut Delors estimated the 5% target would require an additional 270 billion euros per year across Europe, raising questions about fiscal sustainability and trade-offs with social investment budgets [23].
Baltic and Nordic leaders framed the Russian threat as concrete rather than abstract. Merz stated at a meeting with Baltic leaders in Berlin: "Esta amenaza no es abstracta, sino muy concreta, y en el flanco oriental de la OTAN se puede palpar con las manos" (This threat is not abstract, but very concrete, and on NATO's eastern flank it can be felt with your hands) [3]. Nausėda announced a constitutional amendment to remove restrictions on the possible use of nuclear weapons in Lithuania to support NATO's collective nuclear deterrence [3]. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called for maintaining pressure on Russia, stating that Russia is weaker than it has been in years as a result of allied actions [3]. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the summit as taking place in a turbulent time and announced Sweden's ambition to reach the 5% GDP target by 2030, with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stressing the need to send a strong signal of unity in long-term support for Ukraine [13].
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged caution in pledging additional financial assistance to Ukraine, stating: "Not because I believe Ukraine does not need financial assistance, but because I believe Poland has very significant responsibilities related to the entire eastern EU border, and everyone must take that into account" [6]. Tusk's position is compounded by a diplomatic row with Kyiv sparked by Ukraine naming a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which Poland associates with wartime massacres of Polish civilians, leading Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle [11][12]. Tusk stated that "it won't be the case anymore that only Warsaw proposes a good stance" and called on Ukraine to take steps to repair relations [12]. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha proposed a package of anti-crisis measures including consultations between foreign ministries, a meeting of WWII historians, and outreach to religious leaders [11].
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine's participation at the summit and stated that neither side has abandoned the goal of Ukraine's NATO membership, calling on allies to prepare "strong decisions" to deepen the partnership with Ukraine [16][27].
Turkey leverages its role as summit host and defense industrial capacity to position itself between the alliance and Russia. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted a shuttle diplomacy visit to Moscow in June 2026 [17]. Trump described his attendance at the Ankara summit as being "out of respect to President Erdogan" and signaled potential movement on Turkey's F-35 program and KAAN fighter jet engine requests [10]. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will unveil tens of billions of dollars in new defense contracts at the summit, with Turkey positioned as a key defense producer [19]. Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Rich Outzen stated that US interest in Turkish-made defense equipment is growing, with American firms increasingly buying Turkish products in areas such as shipbuilding and drones [10]. Human rights organizations and European politicians have accused Turkey of using the summit to crack down on independent media and civil society [24].
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argued that the planned increase in NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP will lead to the alliance's collapse [15]. Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Victor Goremykin stated that European NATO members are prolonging the conflict and that arming Ukraine deprives it of a chance for negotiations [28].
The summit's draft declaration calls for a "stronger Europe in a stronger NATO" while also addressing Iran's nuclear program and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz [5]. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is attending the summit to promote South Korea's defense industry [9][25]. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will hold meetings with Erdogan at the summit, with Greek defense spending around 3% of GDP a key topic [21]. The summit proceedings continue through the week.