President Trump is set to attend the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, with plans to secure billions of dollars in arms deals and urge European allies to increase their defense spending. The visit comes just months after Trump suggested he was considering withdrawing the U.S. from the alliance.
Administration officials indicated that significant U.S. arms sale announcements are expected on the sidelines of the summit. Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte intend to press European members to transform their 2023 pledge to spend 5% of their GDP on defense by 2035 into a binding commitment. Last year's agreement included 3.5% for core military spending and 1.5% for broader defense projects.
"This Ankara summit is really the time for our allies to step up and I know that that’s what President Trump is expecting," stated U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. He noted that European nations and Canada have already committed nearly $139 billion in defense spending, with roughly half directed towards American-made equipment. However, Whitaker pointed out that while some countries like Poland, the Nordic nations, and the Baltic states are leading in defense contributions, and Germany is on track to meet the 5% goal by 2029, many others are lagging.
Trump has previously expressed frustration over the unequal distribution of defense burdens within NATO, posting a chart on Truth Social highlighting the U.S. disproportionately higher military expenditures compared to other alliance members. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly stated that "Americans can expect President Trump to bring more deliverables home to our country," adding that discussions will focus on frameworks to boost procurement of key capabilities and showcase American products.
The summit's agenda also includes discussions on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with a meeting scheduled between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Additionally, Trump is expected to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda leader. The U.S. has reportedly floated the idea of al-Sharaa deploying Syrian troops to counter Hezbollah on Israel's northern border.
An unexpected point of discussion at the forum may involve international soccer. Trump reportedly contacted FIFA leadership to advocate for the reversal of a one-game ban on U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun, ahead of a match between the U.S. and Belgium during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Lingering tensions from the Iran conflict are also expected to be a factor at the conference. Rutte had previously visited the White House to address Trump's concerns about European NATO members' opposition to his actions during the Iran war, though Trump reportedly remained unconvinced. John Ullyot, who served in the Pentagon, commented that Trump was justified in criticizing NATO leaders for perceived underutilization of U.S. operations in Iran.
The summit venue in Ankara, Turkey, marks a return for Trump, who was playfully dubbed "Daddy" by Rutte at the previous year's summit. This year's attendance aims to underscore a commitment to NATO's leadership and security.
The issue of Greenland's annexation, which overshadowed the last NATO summit, may resurface. While tensions have reportedly cooled since an agreement for further talks between Washington and Copenhagen in January regarding the U.S. military presence on the island, the U.S. still considers its acquisition the optimal solution for NATO's defense needs.