Trump's Iran grudge hangs over NATO summit

Trump Arrives at NATO Summit in Ankara Following Iran Conflict and Defense Spending Discussions

President Trump is scheduled to arrive Tuesday at the NATO summit in Ankara after several allied governments declined U.S. requests for base access and military contributions during recent operations against Iran. The summit occurs amid ongoing reviews of U.S. force posture in Europe and allied defense spending levels.

Trump has stated that some NATO members did not provide the requested support for strikes on Iran or for efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He has publicly questioned the level of allied contributions to collective defense arrangements established after World War II.

In recent weeks Trump has made statements about specific European leaders. He described Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as having sought a photograph during the G7 meeting and posted a meme referencing her on social media. He announced the resignation of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and characterized Starmer’s position on Iran operations as indicating insufficient resolve. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte presented data on increased allied defense expenditures during a prior meeting; Trump responded that U.S. requirements centered on demonstrated loyalty rather than additional financial commitments.

Trump had considered not attending the summit. He stated that the United States does not require allied financial contributions and emphasized expectations of support in specific operations.

The Pentagon has reduced the number of U.S. Army brigade combat teams stationed in Europe from four to three and canceled a planned deployment of approximately 4,000 troops to Poland. Adjustments have also been made to the availability of U.S. aircraft, aerial refueling assets, and naval vessels that could be allocated to NATO contingencies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initiated a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe, citing the refusal by some allies to grant base access during the Iran operations. Two U.S. officials indicated that the review may result in changes to deployments, while one added that a broader NATO force reduction is not currently under consideration for the summit itself. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that Trump will urge allies to increase defense spending targets to 5 percent of GDP, with the objective of transferring primary responsibility for conventional defense of the region to European members and Canada.

During a related briefing, an administration official reiterated the administration’s interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark to strengthen Arctic capabilities against Russian activity. Danish and other NATO governments have expressed opposition to any transfer.

Trump is set to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan upon arrival. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately requested that the United States not proceed with sales of advanced weapons systems to Turkey, citing Erdoğan’s public statements regarding Israel. On Wednesday Trump will join a NATO working session and hold separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa before holding a press conference and returning to Washington.

The planned meeting with Zelensky follows a prior discussion three weeks earlier. Ukrainian representatives have sought additional Patriot air defense systems and renewed U.S. diplomatic engagement toward ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. European officials have reported that recent U.S. assessments indicate Ukrainian forces hold battlefield advantages, which has affected the priority given to new diplomatic initiatives. Trump spoke with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend. He told reporters that both sides express interest in concluding the conflict and that discussions continue. One U.S. official described Russian economic pressures, military losses, and resource constraints as factors that could influence Moscow’s calculations, while noting differences in decision-making approaches between the parties.

Trump is also scheduled to address the status of understandings reached at the prior Alaska summit concerning principles for resolving the conflict.