NATO Leaders Convene in Ankara Amid Tensions Over Defense Spending and International Conflicts

NATO leaders are scheduled to attend the summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday and Wednesday amid US President Donald Trump’s pressure for Europe to intensify defence spending as friction continues over the Iran war and Greenland. The two-day summit is poised to be held at the Beştepe Presidential Compound and will be chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The summit will open on Tuesday, and the event is expected to close the following day, after Trump holds a press briefing. President Trump’s frequent criticism of NATO, with the announcement of the US troops’ withdrawal from Europe, has triggered uncertainty within the Western military alliance. Trump administration’s insistence on Europe taking the primary responsibility for the continent’s defence and boosting defence spending will be discussed. Leaders from the 32-member countries of NATO, including US President Trump, are scheduled to attend the summit in Ankara. Apart from these leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , European Council President Antonio Costa, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, ​and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to attend the summit and join a dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday evening, Reuters reported. NATO members are expected to pledge their continued support for Ukraine in its over four years war against Russia, and the countries could also announce new wave of assistance for Kyiv. “For 2026, Allies pledge €70bn in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine and affirm their sovereign ​commitments to sustaining at least equivalent levels in 2027,” the NATO leaders are expected to say. NATO foreign ministers are expected to meet leaders from the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The ministers would also be holding a dinner discussion with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukraine’s foreign minister. NATO’s defence ministers would also be meeting Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia’s ministers during the summit. ( with inputs from agencies )