NATO Summit in Turkey

President Donald Trump has landed in Turkey for the NATO summit, continuing to voice his criticisms of the alliance.

Upon his arrival in Ankara, Trump was welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They attended a ceremony together, then headed to a bilateral meeting at the Bestepe presidential palace, where they also spoke to reporters.

Trump’s discontent with NATO has been evident for a while, especially regarding the differences in defense spending among member countries. Reports indicate that by 2025, the U.S. is expected to spend more on defense than all other NATO nations combined.

According to NATO guidelines, defense spending is defined as funds a nation allocates for its military, allied forces, or broader alliance needs. While there isn’t a national defense fund, NATO does manage common and trust funds.

During his press briefing, Trump mentioned that if the summit hadn’t taken place in Turkey, he likely wouldn’t have attended, underscoring the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey.

Trump remarked about his bond with Erdoğan: “From the day we met, we became good friends… It’s the chemistry that works between us.”

The top U.S. military commander pointed out that the U.S. has often supported allies without receiving similar backing, expressing disappointment over the lack of support during the conflict with Iran.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte recently spoke with Trump at the White House, discussing increased military spending by NATO nations at Trump’s urging. Both leaders will partake in greetings at the summit on Wednesday.

Rutte outlined the summit’s objectives: “The challenge ahead is clear: to translate Allied commitments into concrete results. Increased investment, increased industrial production, and continued support for Ukraine will strengthen NATO and enhance our collective security.”

Looking ahead, Trump is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Trump mentioned having a productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a subsequent conversation with Zelenskiy, suggesting that both nations are inclined towards reaching a peace agreement to resolve the ongoing conflict in Europe.