ANKARA, July 7 (Alliance News): NATO leaders will gather in Ankara on Tuesday for a two-day summit aimed at showcasing increased defence spending and strengthening alliance unity as they seek to reassure US President Donald Trump over Europe’s growing security role.
The summit, hosted at Turkey’s Presidential Palace, comes one year after NATO members pledged to raise defence-related spending to five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP), following pressure from the United States.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said European allies had made significant progress in increasing military spending and taking greater responsibility for the continent’s defence.
“Just one year later, we already see transformational progress,” Rutte told reporters ahead of the summit.
Ahead of the leaders’ meeting, NATO members are expected to announce new defence contracts worth tens of billions of dollars, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening the alliance’s military capabilities.
In a major announcement, Canada confirmed it has selected Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build a new fleet of submarines as part of a multi-billion-dollar programme designed to deepen defence cooperation with European NATO partners.
Despite these efforts, President Donald Trump has continued to criticise European allies, arguing they have not done enough to share the defence burden. His remarks followed disagreements over Europe’s response to the conflict involving Iran and restrictions placed on the use of some military facilities.
European leaders hope to avoid tensions with Trump during the summit, recognising the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic cooperation. Diplomats believe Trump’s positive relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and continued engagement by NATO leadership could help ensure productive discussions.
The summit will also focus on regional security, defence cooperation and continued support for Ukraine.
European allies, led by France and the United Kingdom, are considering a naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz to support regional maritime security.
However, officials say they are awaiting greater clarity on the implementation of the recent US-Iran understanding before making a final decision.
Meanwhile, European countries have assumed a larger share of military assistance to Ukraine as the United States has reduced its support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the leaders’ dinner and hold talks with President Trump on the sidelines of the summit. NATO members are also expected to pledge at least €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine annually for 2026 and 2027.
Ahead of the meeting, Zelensky called on NATO to make “strong decisions” to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences following recent large-scale Russian attacks that caused significant casualties.
The Ankara summit is expected to shape NATO’s future strategy as allies seek to strengthen collective defence, maintain unity and address evolving global security challenges.
