By Elsie Kamsiyochi
NATO leaders gathered in Ankara on Tuesday determined to present a united front by announcing more than $50 billion worth of new defence agreements, sending a strong message that the alliance is increasing military investment and strengthening Europe’s security capabilities.
The large-scale defence commitments came as U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of several NATO allies, saying he remained disappointed with their level of support for the United States.
The summit, hosted by Turkey, comes at a critical moment for the alliance following months of heightened geopolitical tensions, including the war with Iran and the continuing conflict in Ukraine. NATO leaders hope the gathering will reassure members that the alliance remains committed to collective security despite growing political disagreements.
During a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump suggested he had considered skipping the summit altogether but decided to attend because of his strong relationship with the Turkish leader. He once again questioned whether some NATO countries were contributing enough to shared security responsibilities, specifically mentioning Britain, France, Germany and Italy.
Trump argued that the United States has invested enormous financial resources in NATO over many years while several European allies failed to provide sufficient backing during the recent conflict with Iran. Although he repeated that the United States did not ultimately require military assistance from its allies, he said their unwillingness to participate before being formally asked left him feeling disappointed.
Despite his criticism, Trump also announced a significant improvement in relations with Turkey. He revealed that the United States would lift sanctions imposed on Ankara in 2020 over its purchase of Russian-made air defence systems. Trump also indicated Washington was prepared to resume discussions about supplying Turkey with advanced F-35 fighter jets, a move that could dramatically strengthen military cooperation between the two countries after years of strained relations.
The summit also included discussions on efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said he had spoken separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before arriving in Ankara. According to Trump, both leaders appear interested in reaching a negotiated settlement, expressing optimism that progress toward a peace agreement could finally be made after years of fighting.
Ahead of the main leaders’ meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the NATO Defence Industry Forum, where he urged member states to dramatically accelerate defence production. He warned that the alliance faces increasing security challenges not only from Russia but also from China, North Korea and Iran.
Rutte stressed that NATO cannot afford delays in rebuilding military capabilities, arguing that defence industries across the alliance must expand production at an unprecedented pace. He called for what he described as a “defence industry revolution,” saying factories must move from peacetime production levels to the capacity needed to meet modern security threats.
One NATO official estimated that defence agreements announced during the forum exceeded $50 billion. Among the largest deals were European purchases of advanced surveillance drones from American defence giant Northrop Grumman and NATO’s decision to acquire airborne early warning aircraft from Swedish defence company Saab. Investors welcomed the announcements, with Saab’s share price rising sharply as markets anticipated growing demand for European defence equipment.
The investment drive reflects a broader effort by European governments to respond to repeated U.S. calls for increased defence spending. For years, Washington has argued that Europe relies too heavily on American military capabilities while failing to invest sufficiently in its own armed forces.
European leaders have significantly increased defence budgets in recent years, but many governments continue to face difficult economic choices as they balance military spending with public services and social welfare programmes. Analysts also note that Europe’s fragmented defence industry, along with regulatory barriers and competition between national manufacturers, has slowed efforts to build a more unified defence production base.
The Ankara summit is also taking place against the backdrop of continued uncertainty over NATO’s future direction under Trump’s leadership. His criticism of the alliance has intensified since the Iran conflict, during which he accused European partners of failing to fully support the United States. Trump has also previously questioned NATO’s collective defence commitments and has repeatedly suggested that America could reduce its military presence in Europe.
European officials remain concerned that Washington could further scale back troop deployments or revive threats to weaken U.S. involvement in the alliance. Nevertheless, NATO leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to mutual defence while continuing support for Ukraine.
The urgency of those discussions was underscored just days before the summit when Russia launched another major missile and drone attack on the Kyiv region, killing dozens of civilians and highlighting Ukraine’s continued need for additional air defence systems.
As NATO leaders conclude their meetings in Ankara, the alliance faces the challenge of balancing growing defence investments with persistent political divisions. While the record-breaking arms agreements demonstrate a stronger commitment to collective security, Trump’s renewed criticism serves as a reminder that questions over burden-sharing and alliance unity remain central to NATO’s future.
Source Reuters
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