NATO summit in Ankara: increased military spending, support for Ukraine and the defense industry at the heart of discussions

The leaders of the 32 NATO member countries are meeting on July 7 and 8 in Ankara, Turkey, for a summit marked by pressure from the US president. Donald Trump in favor of increased defense spending by European allies and by the tensions that have run through the Alliance in recent months.

Discussions will focus primarily on progress made in military investments, strengthening the defense industry, and the sharing of responsibilities between the United States and European countries in the security of the continent.

The Trump administration wants Europeans to shoulder a larger share of their own defense costs as Washington reassesses its military presence in Europe. Leaders are expected to highlight the efforts made since the 2025 Hague Summit, at which NATO members pledged to dedicate 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense and related spending by 2035.

According to a draft declaration seen by Reuters, European allies and Canada have increased their military investments by more than $139 billion by 2025. The text also underlines that Europeans are now taking greater responsibility for the collective defense of the Alliance, in cooperation with the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky He will participate in the summit on the sidelines of the official meetings. He is scheduled to attend a dinner with NATO leaders alongside South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

NATO members are also expected to announce new military support for Ukraine. They are expected to commit to providing €70 billion worth of equipment, training, and assistance in 2026, while promising to maintain a comparable level of aid in 2027. Part of this funding will come from existing bilateral commitments as well as a loan from the European Union intended to support investments in Ukrainian defense. The United States is not expected to participate in this funding.

The summit will also give significant attention to the defense industry. A forum bringing together governments and industry representatives is expected to lead to the announcement of contracts worth tens of billions of dollars, aimed at accelerating arms production, strengthening the industrial capabilities of allied countries, and stimulating innovation in the sector.

Finally, the leaders hope to prevent disagreements that have emerged in recent months, particularly regarding the war in Iran and relations between Washington and several European capitals, from disrupting the discussions. The stated objective is to present a united Alliance facing current security challenges and to demonstrate its ability to adapt its strategy in an increasingly tense international context.