NATO summit in Ankara avoids major conflict but leaves tensions over defense spending and Ukraine aid unresolved
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10 days · 11 summary articles
The NATO summit is taking place in Ankara, Turkey, on July 15, 2026. The summit has been described as a success in avoiding major conflicts, but underlying tensions and structural issues within the alliance remain.
Defense spending was a key topic at the summit. The Trump administration highlighted progress in defense spending by NATO allies. Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, the permanent representative of the US to NATO, stated that the alliance is working towards a European-led NATO, which would allow the United States to focus on global issues. "It’s a process and we need to make sure that this first year of success continues now as our allies become more capable and spend more money on their own defense, and therefore make NATO stronger collectively," said Whitaker .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came closer to the lifting of U.S. sanctions that might allow Turkey to finally buy F-35s. This was a significant development at the summit, as it indicates a potential thaw in relations between Turkey and the United States .
The situation in Ukraine was also a major focus. Discussions included the need for more air defense systems for Ukraine. President Trump suggested that the US would approve licenses for the production of Patriot air defense missiles to help Ukraine, which is continuing to face attacks from Russia as it strikes deeper into Russian territory in response. Whitaker said he will be continuing the conversations as industry and the Pentagon also coordinate on the effort. "I'm working together with many people in the administration and in industry to effectuate the president's intent on that. But you know, there's a lot of work to do when you're dealing with licenses and manufacturing overseas, and so we're going to take it a step at a time," Whitaker said .
The joint communique issued at the end of the summit contained all the correct platitudes and buzzwords, including the allies' "ironclad commitment to [their] collective defense under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty" and their dedication to a "360-degree approach to deterrence and defense." However, the communique did not set a date for a meeting next summer, reflecting the increasing common wisdom that NATO summits in the Trump era present little more than an opportunity for strife and presidential blow-ups from the U.S. contingent .
The summit also highlighted the structural issues within NATO. Military alliances are not ends in themselves; they are simply a means by which states seek to make themselves more secure in the face of a common threat. And no matter your view of Russia today, NATO’s members do not face the same clarifying, focus-the-mind threat environment that existed when the alliance formed back in 1949 .
Reactions from various leaders and officials were mixed. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that the summit provided Latvia with assurances regarding the importance of collective defense commitments . Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics that Canada will extend its Operation Reassurance mission until 2031 .
The broader geopolitical context includes relations with Russia and Iran. The summit took place without any prospect of a ceasefire in Iran or Ukraine, proof that the US’ powers of deterrence are not as great as previously thought .
The summit also saw discussions about Europe's defense build-up and the need for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense. French President Emmanuel Macron announced a revised goal to double France's defense budget by 2027, bringing forward an initial 2030 target .
The summit in Ankara was a tactical readjustment, one that barely managed to renegotiate burden-sharing agreements, particularly with regard to Ukraine. For Europe, the result is that it remains lost. Unlike NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, the continent continues to resist (or defy) Trump. However, it is also unable to make progress towards federal integration – a vital step towards building its own defense capabilities .
The summit also highlighted the tensions caused by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump's continued, baseless threats to annex Greenland and moves to withdraw troops from Europe have antagonized key European leaders. The Ankara summit should have served to improve relations between the US and its European allies, but it has failed to effectively address the damage of previous meetings .
Albania to host NATO summit as alliance eyes Balkan security. Tirana's selection to host the 37th NATO summit signals the alliance's renewed strategic focus on the Western Balkans, placing Prime Minister Edi Rama at the center of efforts to strengthen regional security and counter Russian influence while accelerating Albania's path toward European Union membership .
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