NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte arrived in Washington late last month with a carefully crafted pitch: a dazzling display of gold-lettered charts titled “The Trump Trillion,” boasting that European allies and Canada had added $1.2tn to defence spending since Donald Trump took office in 2017. With the alliance’s 32 leaders set to convene in Ankara on Monday, Rutte’s mission is clear—keep Trump engaged, avoid public disputes, and project unity at a summit overshadowed by Middle East tensions and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Rutte’s strategy hinges on flattery and economic incentives. Speaking to reporters, he highlighted Europe’s record defence outlays while unveiling plans for what he calls a “defence industrial revolution,” including tens of billions in new procurement deals designed to appeal to Trump’s business instincts. “I want to show you what this president was able to achieve,” Rutte told the press . The gambit reflects deep anxiety among European capitals about Trump’s commitment to NATO, with Claudia Major, a trans-Atlantic security expert at the German Marshall Fund, noting that leaders are desperate to “please Trump and to make a case for NATO” .

Germany has taken a direct approach. Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Trump on Friday that Berlin is ready to assume greater responsibility for European security, framing NATO as becoming “more European so that it can remain transatlantic” . Merz’s office said he emphasised Germany’s readiness to bolster Euro-Atlantic security, a message echoed by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, who vowed the summit would signal “Western unity” to Moscow .

Yet Trump’s recent barbs—posting charts that label NATO burden-sharing “ridiculous” and singling out Germany for criticism—underscore the fragility of the alliance’s cohesion . “If we have learned one thing about the US president over the last one-and-a-half years,” Major said, “it is that he can be very disruptive and it is difficult to predict what he is going to do” .

Turkey, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a bridge. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara and Washington share a “strong will” to lift CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed closer defence ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of the summit . Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken praised Turkish defence technology, calling Ankara “very important” to Europe’s security architecture .

Beyond alliance politics, the summit faces urgent regional crises. France and the UK are exploring a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz after Europe concluded that post-war vacuums could allow Iran to impose transit fees—a move Washington rejects . Sweden’s prime minister warned the summit comes at a “turbulent time” for European security, with leaders set to debate boosting defence industrial capacity and sustaining military aid to Ukraine .

As NATO’s largest-ever summit in Türkiye begins, the alliance’s future may hinge on whether flattery and economic carrots can outweigh Trump’s unpredictability. With Europe having replaced most US military cuts within NATO, the bloc’s leaders arrive in Ankara hoping to prove that the alliance remains indispensable—even to a president who has repeatedly questioned its value .

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Erdogan, Trump share strong will to lift CAATSA sanctions: Fidan Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump share a "strong will" to lift sanctions imposed on Türkiye under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), adding that both governments are taking steps to resolve the issue.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Former NATO chief proudest of Sweden, Finland accession Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has told Anadolu that Sweden and Finlands entry into the alliance was the decision he is most proud of during his decade‑long tenure. He thanked President Erdoğan for his cooperation and said his main expectation for the Ankara summit is to demonstrate unity.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Belgian defense minister: NATO needs Türkiye, praises Turkish tech Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has told Anadolu that Türkiye is a very important ally and should be included in Europes defense programs. He praised Turkish technology, said Europe can learn a lot from Ankara, and stressed that unity is essential ahead of the NATO summit.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Danish FM stresses dialogue with China in Copenhagen talks Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen hosted his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Copenhagen on Thursday, stressing that dialogue with Beijing remains indispensable despite policy disagreements as the two diplomats discussed bilateral trade and the Russia-Ukraine war.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Fidan, Syrian counterpart discuss regional developments Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al‑Shaibani to exchange views on recent developments in the region, Turkish diplomatic sources said. No further details were provided.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Netanyahu, Trump agree to meet in US amid strained ties Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed during a phone call to hold a meeting in the United States "in the near future," Netanyahus office confirmed. The conversation also touched on US-Israel ties and regional developments, with no date yet set for the visit.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Merz tells Trump Germany ready for more NATO responsibility Chancellor Friedrich Merz told President Donald Trump that Germany is prepared to take on greater responsibility for European security, as NATO becomes more European to remain transatlantic. The two leaders agreed to continue discussions at next weeks Ankara summit.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Polish FM: NATO summit will signal unity to Putin Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has said the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will demonstrate Western unity to President Putin, warning Moscow against staging a false-flag provocation against Poland or another alliance member.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Marea provocare: cum e pregătită România pentru „NATO 3.0? În esență, la întrebarea asta trebuie să fie pregătiți să răspundă cei din delegația României la Summit-ul NATO de la Ankara.

adevarul · 10 days ago

Comment of the Embassy of #Russia in the Netherlands to Izvestia newspaper (3 July 2026) Military infrastructure deployment in the Netherlands in the interests of #Ukraine and #NATO • We note the ongoing modernisation of local air bases, military logistics facilities and transport network. • Capacities for hosting allied forces and conducting joint exercises are being expanded.

mastodon bot · 10 days ago

France says NATO summit to focus on European security, Ukraine support The Élysée Palace has announced that the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will centre on European security, support for Ukraine, and the realignment of US-European efforts. A bilateral meeting between President Macron and President Erdoğan is expected on the sidelines.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Türkiye central to NATOs future security, says former German general Retired Brigadier General Klaus Wittmann has told Anadolu that Türkiye is the solid cornerstone of NATOs southeastern defence and a key Black Sea power. He said the Ankara summit will focus on military aid for Ukraine and increased defence spending, and downplayed the likelihood of US withdrawal from NATO.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Macron and Modi are winning the AI infrastructure race with text messages and personal meetings The global race for AI infrastructure has become a contest of personal relationships. French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have emerged as its most aggressive practitioners, personally courting the heads of the worlds largest technology companies to secure data centre investments that will determine where the next generation of AI systems are trained […] This story continues at The Next Web

the next web · 10 days ago

South Korean president to attend NATO summit in Türkiye President Lee Jae Myung will attend the NATO summit in Ankara and deliver a keynote speech at the invitation of Secretary General Mark Rutte. He will also participate in a defence industry forum, marking South Koreas continued engagement with the alliance.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Swedish PM says NATO summit in Ankara comes at turbulent time Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said NATOs upcoming summit in Ankara will convene during a "turbulent time" for European and global security, as allied leaders prepare to discuss boosting defense industrial capacity and maintaining long-term military assistance to Ukraine.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Fidan meets KRG deputy PM in Ankara for talks Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks with Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of Iraqs Kurdish Regional Government, in Ankara. Talabani expressed satisfaction with Türkiyes commitment to the peace process with the PKK and reaffirmed the PUKs full support for its success.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Albayrak Group delegation to boost ties Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with a delegation from Turkeys leading Albayrak Group, led by the companys chairman, Ahmet Albayrak, to discuss expanding cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.The delegation, received by the prime minister, also included prominent figures such as Albayrak Group board member Mesut Albayrak, vice chairman Dr. Nurettin Canikli, Albayrak Construction and Ports general manager Yunus Yılmaz, protocol manager Ümit Yazmacı, and several other senior executives.During the talks, both sides deliberated on ways to further develop bilateral collaboration in key areas such as infrastructure, ports, media, and investment. The discussions also touched on broader strategic domains, with a strong emphasis on the mutual determination to deepen the robust partnership and strengthen economic relations between Pakistan and Turkey.The meeting underscored the shared vision of both nations to translate their fraternal ties into tangible economic outcomes, reaffirming their commitment to advancing joint ventures and leveraging Turkish expertise in Pakistans ongoing development projects.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Erdoğan meets Pakistani PM Sharif in Istanbul for talks President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Vahdettin Palace in Istanbul for bilateral and delegation-level talks. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın attended the closed-door meeting, with a joint press conference expected.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Președintele Lituaniei avertizează că NATO s-ar putea diviza din cauza cheltuielilor pentru apărare: „Nu este deloc benefic Președintele Lituaniei, Gitanas Nauseda, a avertizat vineri că NATO riscă să se divizeze dacă unele state membre nu vor respecta obiectivul alianței de a aloca 5 din produsul intern brut pentru apărare, relatează Politico.

digi24 · 10 days ago

🇸🇾🇶🇦- The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met with the Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, in Doha to discuss bilateral cooperation and the latest developments in Syria. During the meeting, Al Thani reaffirmed Qatars support for Syrias unity, sovereignty, and reconstruction efforts, emphasizing Dohas backing for the Syrian peoples aspirations for stability, state-building, and long-term recovery.

telegram_GeoPWatch · 10 days ago

Erdoğan, Meloni discuss defense ties and NATO summit President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a phone call to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues. Erdoğan said Ankara seeks closer cooperation with Italy, particularly in the defense industry, and expressed hope that next weeks NATO summit in Ankara will strengthen allied unity.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

„Du kannst niemals den Trump-Faktor ausschalten – Die Nato setzt auf einen historischen Schritt Vor dem Nato-Gipfel in Ankara fürchten europäische Diplomaten die Launen des US-Präsidenten. Damit die unabhängiger von den USA wird, sind bereits konkete Schritte geplant. Vor allem auf Deutschland kommt eine Menge zu.

welt.de · 10 days ago

Ankara tightens security, air traffic for NATO summit Türkiye has ramped up security in Ankara ahead of the July 7-8 NATO summit, deploying more than 56,000 police and gendarmerie personnel. Temporary flight restrictions will be in place at Esenboğa Airport, with exemptions for aircraft carrying foreign leaders and official delegations.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

NATO leaders to gather in Ankara, aiming to smooth over tensions with Trump

gdeltproject.org · 10 days ago

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telegram_GeoPWatch · 10 days ago

Four US presidents steered European NATO into decline in furtherance of US proxy war against Russia.

gdeltproject.org · 10 days ago

Norways Former Foreign Minister Receives German Award

gdeltproject.org · 10 days ago

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sarajevo times · 10 days ago

Iran rejects UK-France Hormuz statement, warns against foreign forces Irans deputy foreign minister has rejected a joint UK-France statement on the Strait of Hormuz, warning against any foreign military presence in the waterway and insisting that security rests with the littoral states. He called the statement an adventurism that would bear consequences.

yenisafak · 10 days ago

Ukraine is showing NATO the future of warfare #Europa #Europe #NATO #OTAN

mastodon bot · 10 days ago