NATO leaders are expected to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and pledge continued military assistance during the Alliance’s summit in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on a draft summit declaration seen by Reuters.
The summit comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump has urged European allies to increase defense spending and assume greater responsibility for the continent’s security.
Reuters reported that leaders are expected to focus on meeting defense spending targets, expanding defense industrial production, and shifting a greater share of the security burden from the United States to Europe. The meeting will bring together leaders of NATO’s 32 member states.
On Tuesday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, President of the European Council António Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen are expected to join NATO leaders for a working dinner.
European leaders are expected to demonstrate progress toward the commitment made at last year’s NATO summit to spend 5% of GDP on defense and defense-related investments by 2035. Based on the draft declaration, European allies and Canada increased core defense investments by more than $139 billion in 2025 and are assuming greater responsibility for the Alliance’s collective defense alongside the United States.
The draft declaration states that allies will allocate €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026, while committing to maintain at least the same level of support in 2027. Reuters reports that much of the funding will come from existing bilateral commitments and the European Union’s €60 billion loan facility for Ukraine’s defense procurement and investment during 2026–2027. No additional US funding is expected.
Unlike last year’s summit, which centred on new defense spending commitments, this year’s meeting is expected to focus on increasing weapons production and strengthening defense innovation. NATO will also host a defense industry forum in Ankara, where contracts worth tens of billions of dollars are expected to be announced.
Reuters reports that European officials are also concerned the conflict involving Iran and disagreements with the Trump administration over the response could overshadow the summit. The draft declaration is expected to reaffirm that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and call on Tehran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Summit host Türkiye is expected to renew its call for NATO members to remove restrictions on defense trade within the Alliance. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also expected to seek progress with allies, including France and Italy, on the acquisition of SAMP/T air defense systems and broader defense industry cooperation.
During bilateral talks with Trump, Erdoğan is expected to press for improved US-Türkiye relations, including the removal of US sanctions and renewed access to the F-35 fighter jet programme.
On the sidelines of the summit, NATO foreign ministers will meet counterparts from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Ukraine’s foreign minister and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. NATO defense ministers will also hold talks with counterparts from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Related story: Trump to meet Zelensky at NATO summit in Türkiye
