{"id":1503,"date":"2026-07-07T04:39:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1503"},"modified":"2026-07-07T04:39:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:39:34","slug":"what-to-know-about-natos-summit-in-turkey-as-america-steps-back-from-its-defense-of-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1503","title":{"rendered":"What to know about NATO\u2019s summit in Turkey as America steps back from its defense of Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) \u2014 U.S. President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts are gathering in Turkey on Tuesday for a two-day summit that comes at a turning point in the organization\u2019s history as the United States steps back<\/span> from its traditional security role in Europe.<\/p>\n

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Ahead of the meeting in Ankara, Trump has insisted on \u201cloyalty\u201d<\/span> after some NATO countries balked at allowing U.S. forces to use their bases for attacks on Iran. He listed big European members Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain for criticism.<\/p>\n

A NATO summit is a highly symbolic moment when the 32 member countries of the world\u2019s biggest military alliance<\/span> underline their unshakeable commitment to each other\u2019s security. This year, though, the trans-Atlantic bond has rarely seemed more fragile.<\/p>\n

Still, the meeting is being organized around the theme of a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO. The Trump administration has called for a reboot to a \u201cNATO 3.0,\u201d and it\u2019s hoped that what this really means will become clearer over the next two days.<\/p>\n

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A presidential compound for a venue<\/h2>\n

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hosting the summit at his vast Bestepe Presidential Compound on the western edge of the Turkish capital, Ankara. A new airport, converted from an old military airfield, has been unveiled especially to host NATO leaders.<\/p>\n

Security will be high<\/span>. Air defenses are on alert, and tens of thousands of police will be on duty. Nearby neighborhoods are closed to traffic and some state workers have been given time off to help keep roads unclogged. Public gatherings are banned.<\/p>\n

More than a dozen people were detained in security sweeps ahead of the summit, including two journalists, the Turkish Journalists Association said.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday evening, Erdogan will host a dinner in his \u201cWinter Garden.\u201d Top officials from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will join their NATO partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/span> is scheduled to attend.<\/p>\n

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At they dinner, foreign ministers will hold a NATO Ukraine Council<\/span>, while the alliance\u2019s defense ministers will meet with their Indo-Pacific counterparts. A separate meeting with officials from Gulf Arab countries will also take place, and Trump will meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.<\/p>\n

NATO leaders alone will hold a single working session on Wednesday morning. They\u2019ll publish a short statement summarizing the results of their meeting once it\u2019s over.<\/p>\n

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Defense spending, an industry boost and Ukraine support<\/h2>\n

Officially topping the agenda is defense spending \u2014 a perennial issue at NATO as the U.S. presses allies to do more<\/span>. Ahead of the summit, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted a 20% annual spending hike by European allies and Canada<\/span> in 2025.<\/p>\n

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This is unlikely to be enough to satisfy the Trump administration, even after the leaders agreed at their last summit to boost investment to the same level as the United States, in gross domestic product terms. The 2026 U.S. military budget is set at $901 billion<\/span>, or about 3.3% of GDP. <\/p>\n

NATO also wants to highlight the way it\u2019s converting the billions pouring in from state coffers into new military kit that\u2019s adapted to modern warfare. The summit will be a chance for the organization to showcase new military projects.<\/p>\n

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