Rutte Seeks to Reassure NATO Members on US Commitment

Before the main session began, Rutte told journalists that the United States maintains a complete commitment to NATO. He added that there is an expectation for European and Canadian members to raise their defense expenditures to match the level of US spending, a demand he described as entirely fair.

The talks are set to commence amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, following extensive US strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with assaults on US bases in the Gulf.

Upon his arrival in the Turkish capital on Tuesday, Trump praised the "harmony" between himself and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, remarks that contrasted with his criticism of European allies over their stance during the conflict with Iran.

Seated beside Erdoğan in the grand presidential palace, Trump expressed deep disappointment in NATO, setting the tone for the summit's main meeting scheduled for 8:15 GMT.

The summit occurs at a sensitive moment for the alliance, which was founded 77 years ago, as Trump has sharply criticized his allies while Washington's engagement in Europe has diminished.

On the eve of the main session, NATO released its latest 2026 defense spending data, revealing that Europe's and Canada's core defense expenditures will increase by 11% this year to reach $634 billion, up from $571 billion the previous year.

In an effort to demonstrate their commitment to last year's pledge to boost defense budgets, NATO members disclosed arms contracts worth tens of billions of dollars prior to Trump's arrival.

Rutte described Wednesday as "a very successful day," stating that alliance members are fulfilling their commitments by taking greater responsibility for defending Europe against Russia. He called this development "a major victory for the US president."

Trump also revived an old dispute with NATO by reiterating his position that Greenland "should be under US control, not Denmark's."

However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit Wednesday, affirmed that "Greenland is not for sale." She told reporters that she had listened to the US president the previous day and believed the US position on the matter was very clear, expressing that Denmark's stance was equally clear.

While NATO sought to draw Trump's attention to the significant increase in defense spending, US efforts to halt the war in Ukraine returned to the summit's forefront. Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the NATO meeting and is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the summit's sidelines Wednesday.

Trump said, "I think both of them want to reach an agreement." According to a US official, Trump is scheduled to "continue" talks with Putin following his meeting with Zelensky.

Europe and Canada are expected to pledge ongoing military support for Ukraine amounting to 70 billion euros ($80 billion) annually in 2026 and 2027.

Trump is also anticipated to hold talks with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharrah as part of efforts to rebuild the country's international image after years of civil war. This meeting follows Al-Sharrah's arrival in Ankara one day after French President Emmanuel Macron made an unprecedented visit to Damascus, where two simultaneous explosions injured 18 people.

In a development that could represent a success for Erdoğan, Trump stated that Washington is considering selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, which had been excluded from the program due to its purchase of a Russian air defense system.

Turkey has long sought to resolve the issue of its reinstatement to the F-35 program and the lifting of US sanctions that have negatively affected bilateral relations and hindered its defense projects. The visit was hoped to break the deadlock on this matter.

Speaking at Erdoğan's marble-clad presidential palace, Trump declared, "We will lift the sanctions." Erdoğan, through a translator, said, "Mr. Trump has given us a personal promise on this matter."