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 deals under intense pressure from the United States.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who arrived in Ankara ahead of the summit, said member countries have made progress on increasing defense budgets. "European allies and Canada currently invest about 4 percent of their gross domestic product in defense and security. They will present clear plans on how to reach the final target," Rutte said.
Rutte: "Just one year later, we see qualitative progress. A total of $258 billion in additional investments will be made in 2025 and 2026. We are investing in our own security and ensuring we have what we need to protect our societies."
The Secretary General emphasized that European countries are now taking more responsibility for their own defense and are leading support for Ukraine. NATO leaders will announce tens of billions of dollars in new arms deals during the summit.
Trump's Pressure and the Iran File
U.S. President Donald Trump harshly criticized his European allies on defense spending before departing for the summit. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, "It's ridiculous for the US to continue down this one-sided path. The relationship is not reciprocal. They weren't there for us when we needed them."
European leaders are taking concrete steps to ease Trump's anger. In particular, European countries' restrictions on the use of American bases in the US-Israeli war on Iran had angered Trump. Therefore, a message of cooperation on Iran is expected at the summit.
European allies led by France and the UK have formed a possible naval mission to ensure the safety of sea transport in the Strait of Hormuz. European countries that have brought warships closer to the region are waiting for the details of a US agreement with Iran to become clear.
Exhibition and New Deals
A defense industry exhibition and forum is being held today before the summit sessions begin. The allies aim to turn rapidly growing military budgets into new capabilities. A senior European diplomat said, "It's showtime," and noted that leaders will present concrete commitments to Trump.
In this context, Canada announced that it has selected Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for its new submarine fleet. The multibillion-dollar program aims to deepen Canada's defense ties with its European NATO allies.
Zelenskyy Requests Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also arrived in Ankara today to join the leaders' dinner. Zelenskyy will secure commitments from his European backers to continue military aid. Kyiv is seeking pledges of new military aid totaling 140 billion euros (approximately 160 billion dollars).
After some 30 people were killed in Russia's latest attacks, Zelenskyy called on his 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 say they are starting to change the course of the war and that the US must press 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.
