Overview
- NATO will host all 32 leaders in Ankara on July 7–8 to show unity, review defence spending gains and forge industrial deals designed to satisfy U.S. demands for greater European burden‑sharing.
- Secretary‑General Mark Rutte met President Trump in Washington to present allied spending progress and to prepare a pitch that European and Canadian budgets are rising and delivering capability.
- President Erdoğan is pressing for Turkey’s full inclusion in European defence initiatives and for lifting trade and CAATSA‑linked restrictions that have hurt Turkey’s defence industry, but any removal of U.S. sanctions would need Congressional approval.
- The U.S. has announced selective force posture changes and a six‑month review of troops in Europe, a move that has increased pressure on allies to commit concrete deterrent measures for the eastern flank.
- A draft Ankara statement omits naming Albania as the next summit host, raising fresh doubts about future summit plans because of U.S. reluctance and concerns over Tirana’s defence spending.