NATO leaders meet in Ankara on Tuesday as the war in Ukraine and transatlantic tensions dominate discussions, with US President Donald Trump's recent remarks casting doubt on American commitment to the alliance. Trump described the relationship as "ridiculous" and "not reciprocal," posting on Truth Social that allies were not supportive of the US when needed. Secretary General Mark Rutte responded by urging continued US engagement while calling on European members to increase defence spending and burden-sharing. A Reuters photo from January 21, 2026, shows Trump meeting Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
European nations and Canada plan to pledge €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine over 2026 and 2027, according to diplomats speaking to AFP. The package includes €30 billion annually from an EU-backed loan and existing national contributions, aimed at sustaining Ukraine's war effort and ensuring long-term support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged faster delivery of air and missile defence systems following Russian strikes that killed 21 in Kyiv earlier in the week. Fragments from a projectile were seen near an apartment building after attacks on July 3, 2026, in the capital.
Zelensky stated that enhanced air defence must be a key outcome of the summit. The Ankara meeting contrasts with last year's gathering in The Hague, which focused on strategic planning and cohesion. This year's agenda reflects a more reactive stance amid worsening security conditions, including intensified Russian attacks and regional instability linked to Iran. Internal disagreements over the US-Europe defence burden have become more pronounced. The final declaration is expected to include the aid pledge, underscoring continued Western support for Ukraine despite political strains.
Trump's public dismissal of NATO as non-reciprocal undermines the alliance's unity just as European members commit €70 billion to Ukraine. The financial pledge is meant to reassure Kyiv, yet reliance on US military and political backing remains central to deterrence. Zelensky's urgent call for air defences follows a deadly strike that killed 21 in Kyiv, exposing the limits of financial promises without faster hardware delivery. Ankara's summit reveals a widening gap between political rhetoric and battlefield realities.
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