Bucking expectations, NATO leaders wrapped up their two-day summit in Ankara on Wednesday by projecting a sense of unity.
US President Donald Trump hailed a spirit of “respect” after talks despite months of tensions over defence spending, trade disputes and the war in Ukraine. The emphasis on cohesion was notable after weeks of public disagreements between Washington and several European allies. Trump had repeatedly criticised NATO members over defence spending, European procurement policies and what he saw as insufficient support for the US-Israeli operation against Iran.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
Often viewed by allies as an unpredictable presence at NATO summits, Trump instead left Ankara portraying the meeting as both a diplomatic and personal success.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said there had been “a great sense of unity” throughout the summit, adding that allies had “warmly welcomed President Trump’s leadership” in strengthening the alliance.
“The message from this summit is simple. NATO unites,” Rutte said, likening the alliance to a family that could have disagreements but ultimately emerged stronger because of them.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the summit had reinforced NATO’s cohesion.
“I am returning to Germany with the firm conviction that we have made a major contribution to ensuring that NATO remains united, that it grows stronger, that it becomes more European,” he said.
Turkey Commits to NATO’s PURL Fund
Counter to expectations
The display of unity belied the sharp rhetoric that had marked the run-up to the summit – and even parts of the meeting itself.
On the eve of the summit in Ankara, Trump had once again reiterated his claims over Greenland and threatened to halt all trade with Spain over its refusal to allow the US to use Spanish bases for operations against Iran.
But asked by Euractiv if the American leader had brought up those plans during the leaders’ two-and-a-half-hour meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump’s interventions had been “respectful towards each and every member” of the alliance, describing that approach as “a good way to move forward within an alliance.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had been involved in a diplomatic spat with Trump since last month’s G7 summit, likewise said she remained convinced that strengthening Western unity was in Italy’s and Europe’s national interest, adding that she did not regret the political investment she had made in preserving transatlantic cohesion.
Trump repeatedly echoed the theme, saying there had been “tremendous unity” and even “love in that room”, while arguing that allies had embraced his longstanding push for higher defence spending.
Percentage progress
Speaking at a closing press conference, Trump said NATO members were making strong progress towards the alliance’s 5% defence spending target.
“We discussed the progress other leaders are making towards the 5% target. They’re making great progress,” he said. “Some have truly answered the call,” he added, expressing confidence that those still lagging “are going to be answering the call” too.
Trump, who had in the days leading up to the summit railed against what he said was European protectionism in defence procurement contracts, also argued that Europe’s military build-up would overwhelmingly benefit US defence manufacturers.
“As European nations rebuild their military, American equipment will be the largest beneficiary because it works better,” he said, adding that he had updated leaders on plans to expand US production of munitions, Patriot air defence systems and Tomahawk missiles.
He also highlighted new industrial cooperation between Lockheed Martin and Germany’s Rheinmetall on the Army Tactical Missile System, describing it as “a big deal”, and referenced a new $3 billion initiative to establish a world-class sustainment capability.
Trump said alliance leaders now recognised Washington’s contribution to NATO and that “now they’re all thanking me”.
He concluded by praising Rutte, saying the NATO secretary general had done “a fantastic job.”
See the original of this report here.
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
