NATO leaders assembled in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for a high-stakes summit focused on defense budgeting, alliance unity, and military assistance for Ukraine.
The gathering is marked by diplomatic friction as allied nations navigate shifting American policies under U. S.
President Donald Trump, who recently initiated a military campaign against Iran and proposed annexing Greenland.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, and other allied heads on the sidelines of the summit, where countries are projected to announce tens of billions in defense expenditures.
Sources reported that President Trump is expected to back the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey during his visit, despite unresolved congressional bans linked to Ankara's 2019 purchase of a Russian S-400 missile system.
Concerns Over U.S. Policy Shifts
The policy shifts from Washington have generated concern within the defense community regarding potential reductions in U. S.
troop commitments and funding for European security.
“I think Europeans view President Trump as quite combustible and are quite nervous,” said Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
Bergmann noted that international leaders face heavy domestic political pressure to demonstrate resolve when dealing with the American administration.
“They're nervous that the summit could be more calamitous, especially now, as there's more domestic political pressure on European leaders to be seen as standing up to Trump,” Bergmann said.
The summit occurs amid ongoing bilateral friction, including an evaluation of whether Canada will purchase Lockheed Martin F-35s or Swedish Gripen aircraft.
“It's going to be the same thing as every other summit when Trump is president, which is everybody's hoping that the alliance survives the summit,” said Steve Saideman, the Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University.
Saideman indicated that member nations are actively attempting to demonstrate alignment with Washington's defense expectations.
“Lots of performance to say that the alliance is doing the things that Donald Trump wants,” Saideman said.
U. S.
defense officials have signaled changes to funding and troop allocations, asserting that European partners must reduce their reliance on Washington.
“Europe was not supposed to be a dependency of the United States,” said Pete Hegseth, U. S.
Secretary of Defense.
The Pentagon's strategic reassessment has prompted apprehension about deterrence capabilities from former military leaders.
“This is a clear signal that there is a change in the relationship, a clear sign that Europe and Canada are going to have to continue to step up and do more,” said Wayne Eyre, retired general and Canada's former top military commander.
Eyre warned that reduced American participation in European security frameworks could lead to regional instability.
“My concern is that this could contribute to future miscalculation. If there's a signal of limiting U.
S. involvement in any future European war, could that embolden Russia?”
Eyre said.
Discussions regarding the F-35 program remain dependent on legal reviews concerning Turkey's compliance with American statutes.
“Pete and the entire team are reviewing this right now, because there are certain things that we have to certify have happened… in order to comply with American law,” said JD Vance, Vice President of the United States.
International opposition to the potential aircraft sale persists, particularly from Middle Eastern allies.
“I don't think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets,” said Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.
The defense summit will continue on Wednesday with the primary meeting of the North Atlantic Council following a formal dinner event on Tuesday evening.
