NATO's deputy supreme allied commander in Europe, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, has called for an upcoming summit in Turkey to serve as a platform for member nations to increase defense spending, reiterate support for Ukraine, and underscore the alliance's unity. The summit, scheduled for July 7-8, comes at a critical juncture for the 77-year-old alliance, which faces shifting dynamics in international relations.
Stringer acknowledged that the alliance is currently experiencing a period of "turbulence," citing recent conflicting signals from the U.S. regarding its military presence in Europe. U.S. President Donald Trump has at times expressed intentions to reduce American forces in Europe, while also making proposals that have unnerved European allies. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced a review of American forces in Europe, coupled with criticism of NATO allies for not permitting the use of their bases to conduct operations against Iran.
Despite these challenges, many European nations have been increasing their defense investments, a trend encouraged by Trump's long-standing calls for allies to assume greater responsibility for their own security. The exception noted was Spain, though generally, European countries have made significant efforts to bolster their armed forces.
Maj. Gen. Indrek Sirel, a commander in Estonia's armed forces, highlighted the growing threat from Russia, urging allies to enhance their military capabilities and assist Ukraine in degrading Russia's combat power. Brig. Gen. Jyri Raitasalo of Finland, which shares the longest border with Russia, echoed this sentiment, stating that "Europe as a whole has a lot to do in order to be credible against Russia."
Stringer pointed to specific examples of increased production, such as some countries quadrupling their output of 155 mm artillery shells, indicating that the summit will address ways to ramp up alliance-wide production to levels not seen in decades. The outcome of the U.S. review of its forces in Europe is expected to influence the pace at which European nations must take on greater security responsibilities. While the U.S. military in Europe indicated that some withdrawals were planned and coordinated, uncertainties remain regarding the positioning of U.S. forces in the Baltic states and their role in deterring Russia along NATO's eastern flank.
Stringer expressed confidence that allies could compensate for the loss of certain U.S. long-range strike and surveillance capabilities by combining different assets, creating a "cocktail" of capabilities. He noted that while only the U.S. operates B1 and B52 bomber aircraft, the absence of these specific platforms might be offset by utilizing missiles from various other ground, sea, and air systems.
Recent events, such as President Trump's contradictory directives concerning troop deployments to Poland, have posed challenges for military planning, which relies on long-term strategy. Raitasalo commented that frequent changes in plans can hinder the achievement of desired outcomes. He also stressed the need for allies to commit to specific capabilities rather than making general spending promises.
Sweden's army chief, Maj. Gen. Jonny Lindfors, expressed a desire for the summit to produce a unified understanding of how to realign deterrence and defense strategies, envisioning a clearer picture of what a future NATO framework, termed "NATO 3.0," might entail.
In the United Kingdom, defense spending plans have led to resignations from government officials who argued that the proposed investments were insufficient to ensure national security amid rising threats. While the U.K. had committed to spending 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defense by 2035, recent plans indicated a projected rise to only 2.68% by 2030. The new British defense secretary has affirmed the commitment to NATO targets, and the government is expected to publish its spending plan. Stringer emphasized that the U.K., like all members, is obligated to meet the 3.5% target and must align its resources with its strategic contributions.
Stringer concluded by stating that while demonstrating "cohesion and unity" is crucial at the summit, it is equally important to engage in "honest" discussions and formulate "credible" plans. Raitasalo added that the meeting must move beyond traditional communiques and action plans to demonstrate deterrence through concrete actions, warning that the alliance's credibility is at stake if promises are not translated into tangible results.