Key facts
- Nato leaders are meeting in Ankara amid pressure from Donald Trump to increase defense spending.
- Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte called for clear plans to reach spending targets, with Trump expecting allies to reach 5% of GDP.
- Allies will unveil new arms contracts and are expected to commit around €70bn in military aid to Ukraine.
- Donald Trump has publicly criticized the US's 'one-sided' defense spending relationship with Nato allies.
- The US plans to reduce its troop and materiel presence in Europe.
- The summit's final communique is expected to reaffirm Nato's Article 5 commitment.
Nato leaders are convening in Ankara for a summit where increasing defense spending and continued support for Ukraine are expected to be key discussion points, largely driven by pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged all 31 member states to present concrete plans to meet the alliance's defense spending targets, emphasizing that Trump expects "delivery" on these commitments. Allies are reportedly preparing to unveil tens of billions in new arms contracts at an industry forum on the summit's sidelines to demonstrate progress.
The summit is also anticipated to agree on approximately €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine over the next two years, though much of this reflects existing pledges. This comes as the US, under Trump's administration, has consistently voiced concerns about European allies free-riding on its defense contributions, with Trump himself highlighting the disparity in spending on social media.
Transatlantic relations have been strained by various issues, including Trump's past threats and his administration's plans to potentially reduce US troop and materiel presence in Europe, particularly in countries that spend less on defense. Despite these tensions, efforts are underway to ensure a stable summit, with a focus on reaffirming core alliance principles like Article 5.
General Alexus Grynkewich has indicated that European allies have made strides in filling the gaps left by potential US force reductions. Trump's agenda in Turkey includes bilateral meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside the main Nato sessions.