Published On 7/6/2026
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Monday that NATO members will unveil new arms contracts worth billions of dollars during their summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara, to show US President Donald Trump their commitment to their defense pledges.
During statements to reporters in Ankara, Rutte said, “After only one year, we are already seeing qualitative progress. European allies and Canada are already investing about 4% of their gross domestic product in defense and security, and they will present clear plans on how to achieve the ultimate goal.”
He pointed out that this matter “translates into $258 billion in additional investments in the years 2025 and 2026 together. We are investing in our security, and making sure that we have what we need to protect our societies today and tomorrow, because the threats we face are real, including the Russian threat.”
Rutte stressed that, in addition to assuming greater responsibility for their own defense, European countries have now become a “spearhead in providing support to Ukraine.”
Arms contracts
In order for European leaders to show Trump that their words have been translated into action, members of the alliance intend to announce major arms contracts during a defense industries forum organized on the sidelines of the summit.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Trump will participate in a summit hosted by Ankara for the 32-member bloc, after he criticized Europe for its position on the war he launched against Iran.
The summit comes a year after NATO countries pledged – following pressure from Trump – to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Diplomats say that Europe and Canada will pledge during the summit to ensure the flow of military aid to Kiev worth no less than 70 billion euros annually during the years 2026 and 2027, after Trump significantly reduced US support for Ukraine.
After European leaders’ position on the war against Iran aroused his ire, they are seeking to avoid a confrontation with the American President that would put the alliance’s credibility in the face of a new setback.
Diplomats are counting on the good relationship between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his American counterpart, to contain Trump’s fluctuations.
