Leaders of the 32 NATO member states have gathered in Ankara, Türkiye, for a two day summit that is expected to focus on defense spending, military readiness and continued support for Ukraine.
The meeting comes as United States President Donald Trump renews pressure on NATO allies to increase defense budgets, while European governments prepare to announce billions of dollars in new military investments.
The summit follows last year’s agreement by NATO members to raise their long term defense spending target to 5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including 3.5 percent for military spending and 1.5 percent for broader security related needs by 2035.
World Leaders Gather in Ankara
In addition to leaders from all NATO member states, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Korean President Lee Jae myung are attending as guests.
Australia, Japan and New Zealand are represented by senior defense or foreign ministers.
Several Gulf nations affected by the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran are also participating, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Although Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa is not attending the summit itself, he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with President Trump in Ankara.
Defense Spending Takes Center Stage
Defense spending remains one of the summit’s most important issues.
President Trump has repeatedly argued that European allies should shoulder a greater share of NATO’s defense costs, criticizing countries that fail to meet agreed spending targets.
His long standing pressure has contributed to significant increases in defense budgets across Europe.
According to Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, regional director for Türkiye at the German Marshall Fund, this year’s discussions are expected to focus less on spending commitments and more on converting financial investments into actual military capabilities.
He said NATO allies have already committed to higher defense spending and are now working to strengthen their defense industries and improve military readiness.
Experts Warn Results Will Take Time
Despite the planned increase in military investment, analysts caution that new spending will not immediately translate into greater military strength.
Paolo von Schirach, president of the Global Policy Institute, said expanding defense capabilities is a gradual process.
He noted that while governments may allocate billions of dollars to military procurement, new equipment and operational readiness could take years to materialize.
Ukraine Seeks Additional Air Defenses
One of the most closely watched events at the summit will be the bilateral meeting between President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine, although not a NATO member, continues to rely heavily on military support from alliance countries.
Zelenskyy is expected to request additional Patriot air defense systems following an increase in Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The appeal comes after another deadly Russian strike on Kyiv that killed at least 11 people.
Jack Watling, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said Ukraine is seeking assurances that NATO members will continue providing political and military support over the next one to two years.
He said sustained deliveries of air defense interceptors remain essential to limiting the damage caused by Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Europe Seeks to Demonstrate Unity
European governments are expected to unveil billions of dollars in new defense contracts during the summit.
Some analysts believe the announcements are intended not only to strengthen NATO but also to reassure the Trump administration of Europe’s commitment to collective security.
Ahead of the summit, President Trump criticized Germany’s defense spending as “ridiculous.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his country’s increased military budget, describing it as the largest investment in Germany’s defense capabilities in its modern history.
Meanwhile, the United States has announced a gradual withdrawal of some warplanes, destroyers and submarines from NATO countries in Europe.
Analysts say reductions in American air power could have greater strategic consequences than reductions in ground forces.
Alliance Unity Under Scrutiny
Despite disagreements over defense spending and military deployments, analysts believe one of the summit’s primary goals is to demonstrate that NATO remains united.
Paolo von Schirach said the political symbolism of leaders continuing to meet and coordinate remains important, even as differences persist among alliance members.
According to analysts, the Ankara summit is expected to focus as much on reassurance and strategic messaging as on announcing immediate policy changes.
Source: Al Jazeera
Leave a comment