NATO Summit gets underway

The summit is expected to focus on advancing NATO's defense spending goals, amid repeated pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for European allies to increase their military budgets, as well as on boosting the alliance's defense industrial production, Reuters reports.

Trump's frequent criticism of NATO, combined with the planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Europe and a six-month review of the American military presence on the continent, has contributed to uncertainty within the alliance, the agency said.

The leaders of NATO's 32 member states, including Trump, will attend the summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected to join NATO leaders for a dinner this evening.

The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, is also expected to be a key topic of discussion at the NATO summit in Ankara, according to the Associated Press.

At the upcoming summit, European leaders will seek to demonstrate to Trump that they are delivering on the pledge made at last year's NATO summit in The Hague to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense and defense-related measures by 2035.

European allies and Canada increased their investments in key defense capabilities by more than $139 billion in 2025, according to a draft summit declaration seen by Reuters.

The draft states that the allies are building a stronger Europe within a reinforced NATO, as part of a modernized alliance, while assuming greater responsibility for the alliance's defense in partnership with the United States.

NATO members are also expected to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and pledge continued assistance.

For 2026, the allies are committing €70 billion in military equipment, aid, and training for Ukraine, while reaffirming their sovereign commitments to maintain at least equivalent levels of support in 2027, the draft declaration says.

Part of the funding will come from existing bilateral commitments and an EU loan facility providing €60 billion for Ukrainian defense investment and procurement in 2026–2027. The United States is not expected to contribute financially, Reuters reports.

Officials want this year's gathering to focus on expanding weapons production and promoting innovation in the defense sector.

The alliance is also set to host a defense industry forum in Ankara on Tuesday, where contracts worth tens of billions of dollars are expected to be signed.

European officials are concerned that the war in Iran and Trump's dissatisfaction with European governments over their response to the conflict could overshadow the summit, Reuters added.

Leaders are also expected to state in the summit declaration that the allies reaffirm Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and call on Tehran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.