NATO Summit 2026: Who is attending and what leaders will discuss in Ankara | Today’s news
Leaders of NATO’s 32 member states will meet in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday for a summit expected to focus on defense spending, military production and continued support for Ukraine, as US President Donald Trump urges European allies to take more responsibility for the alliance’s security.
The meeting comes amid months of transatlantic tensions over the Iran conflict, Greenland and Washington’s plans to reduce its military footprint in Europe.
Who is participating?
US President Donald Trump will join leaders from all 32 NATO member countries at the summit.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Major topics include defense spending, military production, support for Ukraine, and the shift of defense responsibility from the US to European allies.
Europe is increasing its defense spending to meet NATO’s target of 5% of GDP by 2035 and bolster its military capabilities amid growing threats from countries such as Russia and Iran.
NATO is expected to pledge €70 billion in military equipment, training and aid to Ukraine by 2026.
Yes, Europe’s NATO allies are expected to reaffirm their commitment to take greater responsibility for collective defense as part of the alliance’s long-term strategy.
Turkey aims to showcase its growing defense industry and push for the removal of defense trade restrictions between NATO allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected to attend Tuesday night’s leaders’ dinner.
Separately, NATO foreign ministers will meet with counterparts from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while defense ministers will hold talks with representatives of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
What will the leaders discuss?
A key agenda item will be Europe’s progress towards meeting NATO’s target of spending 5% of gross domestic product on defense and defense-related measures by 2035, a target agreed at last year’s summit in The Hague.
The leaders are also expected to discuss expanding defense industry production, increasing weapons production and introducing a gradual shift of defense responsibility from the United States to European allies.
According to a draft statement from the summit seen by Reuters, European allies and Canada are expected to emphasize that they have increased investment in core defense capabilities by more than $139 billion by 2025 and reaffirm their commitment to take greater responsibility for the alliance’s collective defense alongside the United States.
support of Ukraine
NATO members are expected to reaffirm long-term support for Ukraine by pledging 70 billion euros in military equipment, training and aid for 2026, while pledging to maintain a similar level of support in 2027.
Most of the funding is expected to come from existing bilateral commitments and the European Union’s €60 billion credit facility, with the United States not expected to contribute to the package.
Defense industry and Iran
The alliance will also host a defense industry forum in Ankara, where governments and companies are expected to announce defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars.
The leaders are also expected to address the Iran conflict, reiterating that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, while calling on Tehran to respect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkey’s priorities
As host, Turkey will seek to showcase its growing defense industry and push for the removal of defense trade restrictions between NATO allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to discuss closer defense cooperation with allies including France and Italy, while urging Trump to lift US sanctions on Turkey and restore Ankara’s access to the F-35 fighter jet program.
Read also | What Europe and NATO must do to prepare for war
