Trump Arrives at NATO Summit as Leaders Race to Prove They Are Serious About Defense
ANKARA — U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for a high-stakes NATO summit where alliance leaders are attempting to convince Washington that Europe is taking defense and security far more seriously than in previous years.
The gathering comes after months of tension between the United States and several European allies over military spending, burden sharing, and disagreements surrounding the recent Iran conflict. Trump has repeatedly argued that European members must shoulder a greater share of NATO's defense responsibilities.
To reinforce that message, NATO leaders are expected to highlight billions of dollars in new defense contracts, expanded military production, and increased investments aimed at strengthening the alliance's readiness against future security threats.
Alliance officials say European members and Canada significantly increased defense spending over the past year, with further commitments designed to meet NATO's long-term defense investment targets. The summit will focus on turning those financial commitments into real military capabilities, including weapons production, logistics, and industrial cooperation.
Trump is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while discussions are likely to cover Russia's war in Ukraine, security in the Middle East, and the future role of U.S. forces stationed in Europe.
Although NATO leaders are emphasizing unity, the summit takes place against the backdrop of continuing debate over how much Europe should contribute to its own defense as Washington signals that allies must become increasingly self-reliant.