Trump Presses Allies for 5% Defense Spending

NATO leaders are gathering in Ankara today for a high-stakes summit defined by intense pressure from US President Donald Trump. Trump is demanding that the other 31 member states immediately increase their defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), calling the current alliance relationship "one-sided".

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged allies to present "clear, concrete, and credible" plans to meet these targets. To demonstrate their commitment, member states are expected to unveil tens of billions in new arms contracts during the summit. Additionally, the alliance plans to commit approximately €70bn in military aid to Ukraine for this year and next.

The two-day meeting follows six months of significant diplomatic tension. Relations have been strained by US actions in Iran, Trump’s past threats regarding Greenland, and his suggestions of reducing US troop levels in Europe. In response, officials have worked behind the scenes to "Trump-proof" the summit by keeping the final joint statement brief and focused on core principles.

A key priority for the summit remains the reaffirmation of Article 5, the collective defense clause stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all. While European allies have begun filling gaps left by potential US troop reductions, the atmosphere remains fraught. Success in Ankara is now largely defined by maintaining alliance unity and avoiding public diplomatic outbursts.