Trump pours cold water on NATO allies' united front

Trump Criticizes NATO Allies on Defense Spending During Ankara Summit

President Donald Trump criticized several NATO allies for insufficient defense spending during a summit in Ankara on Wednesday, highlighting divisions within the alliance over military contributions and support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

The NATO leaders' meeting occurs amid external security pressures and internal disagreements on alliance priorities, including how to assist Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion that began in early 2022. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with NATO spending levels since returning to office in 2025, and he has also faulted allies for declining to participate in U.S. military operations involving Iran.

At a press conference in Ankara alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump singled out Spain, which has not agreed to the alliance's target of 5 percent of GDP on defense by 2035. "Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don't participate. They don't pay. I don't want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits," Trump said.

Trump also repeated his interest in U.S. acquisition of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark.

Rutte, speaking earlier, described increased defense expenditures and new military agreements reached at the summit as evidence of strengthened alliance coordination. He stated that the United States remains committed to NATO despite the Greenland comments. "There is complete commitment of the United States to NATO … the commitment is there, no doubt," Rutte told reporters. He noted that NATO serves U.S. interests by helping prevent Russian nuclear submarines from reaching American shores and by maintaining security in the Atlantic, Europe, and Arctic regions.

Rutte characterized the 5 percent GDP defense spending target, adopted last year, as beneficial for members and detrimental to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said allies would reaffirm that Russia poses a long-term threat to NATO territory. When asked for a message to Putin, Rutte replied: "Don't fool with us."

He elaborated that the alliance, representing one billion people across Europe, Canada, and the United States, would defend every inch of its territory. "You cannot win [against] NATO. We are defensive. We will never attack anyone. We will only defend our way of life, our democracies, our territory. So don't fool with us, don't play with us," Rutte said.

NATO members have supplied military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. Several eastern flank countries—Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania—share borders with Ukraine. Russia has opposed Ukraine's potential NATO membership and has cited the alliance's eastward expansion as a factor in launching its military operation.

The summit also addressed ongoing questions about alliance cohesion. U.S. officials have described current tensions as routine adjustments rather than fundamental fractures. Earlier reporting from the event noted pledges on defense spending and joint procurement deals among members.

Trump's remarks on Spain and Greenland occurred against the backdrop of prior alliance discussions on burden-sharing. NATO's 2014 Wales Summit established a 2 percent GDP guideline, which several members have since met or exceeded. The newer 5 percent target reflects updated assessments of required capabilities through 2035.

Rutte's statements emphasized collective defense commitments without referencing specific bilateral disputes. Denmark has previously stated it would defend its sovereignty over Greenland in response to acquisition proposals. No formal U.S. policy change on the territory has been announced.

The Ankara gathering follows earlier NATO meetings where members discussed long-term support packages for Ukraine and deterrence measures along the eastern flank. Moscow continues to reject NATO expansion and maintains that its security concerns regarding Ukraine remain unresolved.