By Admin 
An important meeting of leaders of NATO countries is being held in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Tuesday (7 July) and Wednesday (8 July 2026). This summit is taking place at a time when US President Donald Trump is continuously pressurizing NATO member countries to increase defense spending. It is believed that many European countries can announce new agreements worth billions of dollars in the defense sector during this meeting.
Leaders of all 32 member countries of NATO are participating in this summit. Apart from this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung are also present. Australia, Japan and New Zealand have sent their defense or foreign ministers. Representatives of Gulf countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates are also attending the meeting. Although Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is not expected to attend the summit, he is holding a separate meeting with US President Trump in Ankara.
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US President Trump’s question regarding NATO
US President Trump has been raising questions about the defense spending of NATO countries for a long time. He says that America is facing a huge economic burden of security and other countries should also increase their responsibility. Following pressure from Trump, many NATO countries have increased their defense budgets in the last few years. Last year, NATO countries had set a target of increasing their defense expenditure to 5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This year’s meeting will discuss how to convert the increased budget into actual military capability. However, some analysts believe that just spending money does not increase military strength immediately and its results may take several years to be seen.
Ukraine important issue in NATO meeting
Ukraine also remains an important issue in this summit. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but due to the ongoing war with Russia, it has been receiving support from NATO countries. President Zelensky will meet Trump separately during this period. It is believed that they will demand additional Patriot air defense systems and other military assistance for Ukraine. Recently many cities of Ukraine have been damaged in Russian attacks. At least 11 people were killed in a drone attack on Kiev. In such a situation, Ukraine wants NATO countries to continue supporting it both politically and military so that its defense capability does not weaken. European countries are also considering this summit very important. Many countries are likely to announce major investments and new military contracts in the defense sector. Some experts are also seeing this as an attempt to satisfy the Trump administration.
Role of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkey, which is hosting the summit this time, has steadily increased its defense spending in recent years and is now among NATO’s major military exporters. The role of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also considered important in this meeting. Meanwhile, America has indicated plans to gradually reduce the deployment of its fighter aircraft, warships and submarines from some NATO countries. Due to this, the discussion regarding the security system of Europe has also intensified. Experts believe that the biggest objective of this summit is to show unity among NATO countries. Even though there are differences on many issues among the member countries, but amidst the Russia-Ukraine war and the changing global situation, NATO wants to send the message that its alliance is still strong and united.
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