Preparations for NATO summit in Ankara focus on defense, U.S. gap

What This is

• NATO’s July 7–8 summit in Ankara is centering on defense burden-sharing and doubts about how much the U.S. will keep providing to Europe.
• European allies are preparing to cover most capability gaps in NATO defense plans if the United States steps back.
• Trump has renewed threats to leave NATO and the Pentagon is reviewing U.S. forces and equipment in Europe, raising uncertainty for allies.
• NATO leaders are pressing for higher defense spending, including a 5% of GDP benchmark and a longer-term 5% goal by 2035.
• Rutte argues that Europe’s rearmament and large arms purchases support U.S. defense jobs, but warns production capacity is strained by recent conflicts.
• The Trump administration is moving ahead with a roughly $700 million sale of U.S. jet engines to Turkey, drawing scrutiny from some U.S. lawmakers because of Turkey’s Russian S-400 air defense system and its past removal from the F-35 program.

Why This Matters

• The summit will shape whether NATO can deter Russia if U.S. support shrinks.
• A visible U.S.-Europe split could weaken the alliance’s credibility and invite pressure from rivals.
• Higher defense-spending targets force hard choices about taxes, social spending, and debt across member countries.
• Turkey’s role as host and arms buyer tests how NATO manages internal disputes while still coordinating defense.