The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit began today in the capital Ankara with the participation of leaders of 32 member countries. The two-day summit, held at the Presidential Complex, will focus on European countries increasing defense spending and signing new arms agreements under intense pressure from the US.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who arrived in Ankara ahead of the summit, said member nations had made progress in increasing their defense budgets. Rutte said, "European allies and Canada are currently investing around 4% of their gross domestic product in defense and security. They will present clear plans on how to reach the final target."
Rutte: "After just one year, we are seeing qualitative progress. An additional total of $258 billion will be invested in 2025 and 2026. We are investing in our own security and making sure we have what we need to protect our societies."
The Secretary General stressed that European countries were now taking more responsibility for their own defense and were leading the support for Ukraine. NATO leaders will announce tens of billions of dollars in new arms deals at the summit.
Trump's Pressure and the Iran File
US President Donald Trump harshly criticized European allies on defense spending before departing for the summit. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "It's absurd for the US to continue down this one-sided road. The relationship isn't mutual. They weren't there for us when we needed them."
European leaders are taking concrete steps to placate Trump's anger. In particular, European restrictions on the use of American bases in the US-Israeli war against Iran had angered Trump. Therefore, a message of cooperation on Iran is expected at the summit.
European allies, led by France and Britain, have formed a potential naval mission to secure maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. European countries, which have moved warships closer to the region, are waiting for the US-Iran deal to become clear.
Exhibition and New Deals
A defense industry exhibition and forum is being held today before the summit sessions begin. Allies aim to turn rapidly increasing military budgets into new capabilities. A senior European diplomat said, "It's showtime," indicating that leaders will present concrete commitments to Trump.
In this context, Canada announced it had selected German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for its new submarine fleet. The multibillion-dollar program aims to deepen Canada's defense ties with European NATO allies.
Zelenskyy's Request for Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also arrived in Ankara today to attend a dinner with leaders. Zelenskyy will seek commitments from European backers on continued military aid. Kyiv wants pledges of new military assistance totaling 140 billion euros (about $160 billion).
After about 30 people were killed in recent Russian attacks, Zelenskyy called on allies to provide more air defense missiles. The Ukrainian leader, who is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the summit, will argue that they have started to turn the tide of the war and that the US must pressure Russia to negotiate.
NATO leaders are trying to show that Europe is ready to take charge of its own security at a time when Washington's attention is shifting to the Pacific.
