Key facts
- President Donald Trump launched strikes on Iran and revoked its oil export license.
- The actions occurred during a NATO summit in Turkey, diverting attention from defense spending and Ukraine support.
- Trump stated he was testing NATO allies' loyalty regarding their support for the U.S. in the Iran conflict.
- European allies and Canada had been wary of Trump raising new grievances over the U.S.-Iran war.
- NATO leaders had planned to showcase progress on defense spending targets, with allies adding $1.2 trillion since 2017.
- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged NATO to grant Ukraine membership.
President Donald Trump surprised NATO leaders at a summit in Turkey by launching strikes against Iran and revoking its oil export license, significantly altering the agenda. The summit, initially focused on defense spending increases and support for Ukraine, was overshadowed by Trump's actions and his demands for "loyalty" from allies.
Trump stated that Italy, Germany, and France had refused to grant open access to their bases for U.S. forces to attack Iran, questioning why the U.S. should spend billions if allies are not supportive. These comments came after he had previously branded NATO a "paper tiger." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte had attempted to mollify Trump by highlighting the $1.2 trillion in defense spending that European allies and Canada have added since 2017, much of which is slated for U.S. companies.
Despite these efforts, Trump reopened old grievances, including his insistence on U.S. control over Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark. The alliance had previously agreed to invest 5% of GDP on defense, with some nations like Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, and the Czech Republic struggling to meet the older 2% target. The U.S. administration is pushing for a more streamlined "NATO 3.0" where Europe takes greater responsibility for its own security, including conventional support for Ukraine, while the U.S. maintains its nuclear umbrella.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the summit to renew his appeal for Ukraine's membership in NATO, emphasizing the Ukrainian armed forces' experience and capabilities. Concerns are also rising among some European countries regarding potential Russian hybrid attacks.