Published on 6/30/2026
US President Donald Trump is set to join leaders of NATO member states at a summit in the Turkish capital Ankara next week, after he strongly criticized their responses to his war with Iran.
The allies hope to avoid escalating tensions in Türkiye by showcasing spending and new deals, and showing hospitality.
andHere’s how NATO is trying to please the moody US president:
Finance
A year after Trump pushed for approval to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product, NATO allies will seek to convince him they are making progress.
Although they have until 2035 to achieve the goal, the US president will want evidence that Europe is addressing his long-standing grievances.
A NATO diplomat – who declined to be named – believes that “the goal is to show how successful Trump is, and that everyone thanks him for paying them.”
Before the summit, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte – one of the few European leaders still favored by Trump – made an introductory presentation at the White House last week.
Rutte held up a graph with “Trump trillion” written on it in gold, displaying the additional European spending since Trump first took office in 2017. “This is the evidence,” Rutte said.
But despite the rise in budgets in general, there are weaknesses that may displease Trump, as the budgets of three countries – including the Czech Republic and Slovenia – are expected to fall below the 2% threshold this year.
Dissatisfied Trump
Although Trump concluded a preliminary agreement with Iran, the situation remains volatile, and any escalation could cast a shadow over the summit. Trump remains dissatisfied with Europe’s responses to the war, when several countries restricted the use of bases for American forces.
To show readiness, France and Britain have drawn up plans for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz, and countries have moved assets such as minesweepers to closer locations when needed. andNATO itself is likely to play a limited role, but European support may help dampen criticism Trump.
“The outcome will depend on the situation surrounding Iran at the time, or whether it is just residual resentment that Trump feels he did not receive enough support,” said Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund think tank.
The art of the deal
Beyond announced defense spending, NATO is also seeking to show Trump that it is diverting funds into enhanced capabilities.
Diplomats and NATO officials say that countries have been asked to be patient in announcing major deals, to create more buzz in Ankara. They believe that contracts worth billions of dollars should be signed with American and European companies in a side forum.
Rutte is keen for Trump – known for his passion for eye-catching deals – to personally supervise this huge trade deal.
European NATO
Under Trump, the United States insists that it wants Europe to take the lead role in its defenses, and Washington has already begun to reduce its commitments. This includes announcing reductions in assets made available to NATO commanders, and a regular review of forces in Europe every six months.
Europe acknowledges that it still needs US support, but leaders will seek to show Trump that they are strengthening NATO’s role to become more “European” by assuming a greater role.
“What the Europeans are doing is trying to increase their responsibility, and at the same time strengthen relations with the United States as much as possible,” said Maria Martisiotte of the European Policy Center.
Turkish generosity
Trump recently clashed with a number of European leaders, the most recent of whom was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. But fortunately for NATO, it appears to still be on good terms with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Trump said last week, “If the summit had not been held in Türkiye, headed by President Erdogan, I would not have attended it.”
The location of the summit may also be attractive; Erdogan’s huge marble-lined presidential palace.
Will Trump shut up?
Finally, as was the case at last year’s Hague summit, NATO will keep this summit short. Trump will arrive for dinner on July 7, before NATO leaders hold a single formal session the next day, limiting the chances of controversy.
In any case, the bar for success will be low, according to former Slovakian ambassador to NATO Petr Bator, who said, “For the summit to succeed, I say that all we need is for Trump not to oppose NATO, criticize it, or undermine its role. We need Trump at least to remain silent about it.”
