NATO leaders have arrived in Ankara for a two-day summit running 7-8 July, overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's latest broadside against the alliance. Trump wrote on Truth Social last week that it was 'ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal,' adding 'they were not there for us!!!' By 'not reciprocal', Trump has pointed specifically to Europe's refusal to support US operations during the Iran conflict and to the gap between US and European defence spending — distinct grievances he has folded into a single complaint.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte takes to the stage on Tuesday for talks focused on defence investment, expanding Europe's defence industrial base, and long-term military support for Ukraine, including a pledge expected at this summit of roughly €70 billion (£60.5bn/$82bn) in military aid for Kyiv across 2026. The gathering follows a pledge last year to raise defence spending to five per cent of GDP, with European allies and Canada increasing defence investment by $139 billion (£103.8bn) in 2025 alone.
