NATO leaders are set to meet in Ankara, Turkey, to discuss key issues including defense spending and support for Ukraine. The meeting comes amid tensions between the US and European allies over issues such as Iran and Greenland.
Defense Spending and Ukraine Support
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the meeting will focus on turning extra spending into combat-ready capabilities and significantly scaling up defense industries. European officials hope to show that they are taking greater responsibility for conventional defense in Europe.
Leaders are also expected to vow to continue funding weapons for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who will also hold bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump.
US-Europe Tensions
The meeting comes amid tensions between the US and European allies over issues such as Iran and Greenland. Trump has been critical of NATO, saying that the US is spending too much on defense while other countries are not doing their fair share.
European officials are hoping for a smooth summit, but there are concerns that the Iran war and other issues could overshadow the meeting. The US has announced troop withdrawals from Europe and cut the forces it assigns to NATO’s defense plans, which has raised concerns among European allies.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
