NATO Summit in Ankara Focuses on Trump's Demands

In early July 2026, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara, Turkey, for a summit dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump's demands that member countries increase their defense spending. Trump arrived in Ankara and met with Turkish President Erdogan, with discussions also covering topics like F-35 fighter jets. The summit opened under pressure from Trump, who criticized allies for not spending enough on defense, setting a tense tone for the meetings.

Other leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, aimed to maintain cordial relations with Trump. Meanwhile, foreign policy chiefs from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan also met on the sidelines of the summit. The core challenge for NATO was to manage Trump's expectations while preserving alliance unity.