President Donald Trump is set to attend the NATO summit in Turkey this week, facing a backdrop of an unstable ceasefire with Iran and his persistent critiques of the alliance's European members. The summit, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Beştepe Presidential Compound and chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, marks a period of assessment for the U.S. regarding NATO's commitments.
Trump's visit will be brief, beginning Monday night and concluding Wednesday evening. During his time in Turkey, he is scheduled for bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in addition to participating in working sessions. A formal opening is set for Tuesday, with Trump expected to hold a news conference on Wednesday.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker stated Sunday that the summit will evaluate progress on allies' commitments to spend 5% of their GDP on defense. He noted that while Poland, Nordic, and Baltic countries are leading, and Germany is on track to meet the target by 2029, "many others are lagging behind." Whitaker added that the U.S. would "take stock of our allies' expanding NATO's capabilities in support of the burden-shifting going on here on the European continent."
Trump has previously expressed frustration with NATO allies, particularly their reluctance to join U.S.-led military operations in the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict with Iran. He has frequently questioned the alliance's value, referring to it as a "paper tiger." While emphasizing that "the United States remains a proud NATO member," U.S. officials have indicated a desire to shift defense burdens to European countries, citing global demands on American military resources. A review of U.S. military posture in Europe is underway, which could lead to adjustments in troop presence. This initiative aims to "shift burden to Europe," according to a senior U.S. official.
The summit follows a visit by Secretary General Rutte to the White House on June 24, where he described NATO as entering a new phase focused on increased European responsibility while maintaining U.S. engagement. Rutte anticipates the summit will initiate a "transatlantic 'defense industrial revolution,'" with potential announcements of significant defense-related contracts.
Trump indicated that his attendance was largely due to his relationship with President Erdogan and suggested he might bring a substantial offer, potentially including the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a move contingent on Turkey's possession of Russian-made air defenses.
The war in Ukraine is also a key topic, with Trump planning to discuss with President Zelenskyy "how we can end the war." This follows a lengthy call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, during which Ukraine was discussed and Trump reiterated his readiness to find a solution to the conflict. A senior U.S. official expressed hope that Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy could advance progress toward ending the war, noting a stalemate on the front lines.