Former President Donald Trump has stated that it is "ridiculous" for the United States to continue its current level of support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), describing the relationship as "one-sided" and "not reciprocal."
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump shared a graph of NATO defense spending, asserting that "They were not there for us!!!" This commentary comes as NATO leaders are preparing to convene in Ankara for a summit.
European officials aim to address ongoing tensions with the U.S. and demonstrate increased commitment to continental defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has indicated that the upcoming meeting will highlight European allies' efforts to increase defense spending and bolster capabilities to deter potential Russian aggression. Deals worth tens of billions of dollars are expected to be finalized, and leaders are anticipated to reaffirm their commitment to supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who will also hold bilateral discussions with Trump. European officials hope that Trump's existing relationships with Erdogan and Rutte may facilitate a smoother summit, though past disagreements over issues such as Iran and Greenland have created transatlantic strain.
Rutte and other NATO leaders have consistently emphasized that the alliance enhances U.S. security and that European nations are responding to Trump's long-standing calls for increased defense investment. Rutte noted that European members and Canada collectively increased their defense spending by over $90 billion in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching a total exceeding $570 billion.
In 2023, NATO leaders agreed to a goal of spending 3.5 percent of GDP on core defense items by 2035, an increase from the previous 2 percent target. Additionally, they committed to investing an extra 1.5 percent of GDP in broader defense-related areas, including cybersecurity.
European officials are hoping for a repeat of a previous summit where Trump reaffirmed U.S. commitment to the alliance and its mutual defense pact. However, the past year has seen significant challenges to the alliance, including Trump's past threats regarding Greenland and his actions related to Iran, which caused global economic disruption without prior consultation with European allies.
The U.S. has also announced troop withdrawals from Europe and reduced the forces assigned to NATO's defense plans, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets, and drones. A six-month review of the U.S. military presence on the continent is also underway.
Despite these strains, NATO officials report that most allies have facilitated U.S. use of their airspace and bases, even during military operations that were unpopular in Europe. Personal relationships between Trump and some European leaders have also been strained, raising concerns about potential resurfacing of these tensions at the summit. A senior NATO diplomat expressed optimism that leaders recognize the stakes involved, suggesting that Rutte's diplomatic skills could help to mediate any difficulties.