The NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, is set to be a pivotal event, with President Donald Trump at the center of discussions amid ongoing tensions with Iran and strained relations with NATO allies. The summit, chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, will take place on July 7-8, 2026, at the Beştepe Presidential Compound.
Trump’s brief visit to Turkey includes bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as participation in various working sessions. The summit comes at a time when Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with NATO allies’ defense spending and their reluctance to support the U.S. in its conflict with Iran.
Defense Spending and Burden-Shifting
The summit will assess NATO allies’ progress in meeting the commitment to spend 5% of their GDP on defense. U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, highlighted that while some allies like Poland and the Baltic countries are leading the way, many others are lagging behind. Germany is expected to reach the 5% target by 2029.
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not sharing the burden of defense spending. He has claimed that the U.S. spends more on NATO than any other country, emphasizing the need for a more reciprocal relationship. However, the alliance operates on the principle that member states must spend 2% of their GDP on national defense, with the U.S. hovering around the 3% range.
NATO’s Role in the Iran Conflict
Trump’s requests for NATO support in the U.S. war against Iran go beyond the alliance’s collective defense agreement. He has framed it as a test of whether allies reciprocate American security commitments. A senior U.S. official noted that ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be a key agenda item, but many NATO allies lack the necessary ships or assets to contribute meaningfully.
Despite the U.S. calls for support, many NATO members have been reluctant to join military operations in the Strait of Hormuz. This reluctance has fueled Trump’s frustration and his consideration of leaving NATO, a sentiment he has expressed as recently as April.
Shifting the Burden to European Allies
The U.S. plans to further shift the burden of European defense onto European countries. A review of the U.S. military’s presence in Europe, expected Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced this review during a meeting of NATO defense ministers, emphasizing the need to adjust forces based on global threats.
Trump’s visit to the summit is partly motivated by his relationship with Turkish President Erdogan. He hinted at bringing a significant offer, potentially including the sale of dozens of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. However, Turkey’s possession of Russian-made air defenses currently prohibits it from joining the U.S. F-35 program.
Ukraine’s Role and the War’s End
The issue of Ukraine is expected to play a key role in the NATO gathering. President Zelenskyy will meet with Trump and other NATO leaders to discuss how to end the war with Russia. A senior U.S. official expressed hope that Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy could bring the war closer to an end, following a recent call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The summit will also feature a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting and a NATO Defense Industry Forum. These events underscore the alliance’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and addressing the long-term threat posed by Russia.
As the NATO summit in Ankara unfolds, the world watches closely to see how Trump’s agenda and the alliance’s strategic moves will shape the future of transatlantic security.
