With billions of dollars in fresh arms contracts and a clear message on burden-sharing, NATO allies arrived in Ankara determined to show they are stepping up — and to ease US President Donald Trump’s anger over Europe’s stance on the war with Iran.
The two-day gathering at Ankara’s sprawling presidential palace comes a year after NATO members pledged to ramp up security-related spending to 5% of GDP under pressure from the US leader.
NATO chief Mark Rutte has insisted European countries are “delivering” by bolstering military budgets and moving to take more responsibility for the defence of their continent in the face of Russia.
In a deliberate show of momentum before Mr Trump touched down in Ankara, the alliance opened with a run of weapons and industry announcements at a glitzy defence forum ahead of the main summit.
“Allies and industry from both sides of the Atlantic will reveal new major projects and sign contracts worth literally billions of dollars,” Mr Rutte said.
“These are billions that are invested in our security, boosting our economies and supporting hundreds of thousands of new jobs.”
Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One before departing for the summit
Early deals included contracts for new drones, as well as refuelling and surveillance aircraft intended to strengthen Europe’s capacity to protect itself.
But Mr Trump — still smarting after European countries restricted US forces from using bases to attack Iran — has used the run-up to the meeting to accuse allies of moving too slowly.
“Ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one-sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal. They were not there for us!!!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social last week.
As they try to demonstrate resolve on Iran, European allies led by France and Britain have assembled a possible naval mission to support security in the Strait of Hormuz, and countries have repositioned vessels closer to the region so they can respond quickly.
Even so, officials say the picture remains volatile, and European governments want a clearer sense of how a fragile US deal with Iran is developing before committing their navies.
Roads are closed outside ATO Congresium during the Defence Industry Forum
While European leaders will be hoping Mr Trump adopts a more conciliatory tone in Ankara, many have begun to absorb what they see as an unavoidable reality: the US is steadily pulling back from its traditional role in the alliance.
Washington has been clear it wants its allies to take the lead on the conventional defence of the continent and recently announced it was cutting back the assets it makes available to NATO commanders.
Against that backdrop, European nations are expected to argue they are ready for a bigger role — while trying to keep Mr Trump, and the vast might of the US military, as engaged as possible.
“All of this is evidence of a real shift in mindset,” Mr Rutte said. “This is NATO 3.0. A stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.”
That shift has extended beyond military budgets, with European countries now shouldering support for Ukraine almost entirely as Mr Trump has wound back US aid.
Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet Donald Trump at the summit in Ankara
President Volodymyr Zelensky — who will attend the leaders dinner this evening — is set to secure a commitment from NATO’s European backers to keep at least €70 billion in military aid flowing to Kyiv each year in both 2026 and 2027.
Mr Zelensky — who is set to hold talks with Mr Trump at the summit — urged the alliance to take “strong decisions” on boosting Ukraine’s air defences after a devastating Russian bombardment killed nearly 30 people.
Ukraine plans to sign new drone deals and other agreements with partners at the NATO summit, he said said as he arrived in Ankara for the event.
“We will continue to work on bolstering Ukraine’s air defence. New systems, missiles for them, and the issue of production licenses – all of this is our priority,” he said
The Ukrainian leader will seek to persuade Mr Trump — who held a phone call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin ahead of the gathering — that Kyiv is gaining ground in the war and that he should push Moscow back toward serious peace negotiations.
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