President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey on Tuesday for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, which has been overshadowed by his ongoing criticisms of the alliance.
During a State Arrival Ceremony and Honor Guard Review at the Bestepe Presidential Compound, Trump was greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before joining him for a bilateral meeting and press conference.
The U.S. president has long criticized NATO’s defense spending disparities, particularly after recent data from the alliance showed that the United States accounts for more than the combined defense expenditure of all other members based on 2025 estimates.
NATO defines defense spending as funds allocated by a country to its own armed forces and related resources, allied forces, or “the needs of the Alliance as a whole.” The organization does not have a dedicated defense fund.
At the press conference, Trump emphasized his special rapport with Erdogan, stating that if the summit had not been held in Turkey, he would not have attended. “From the day we met, we got along… It’s a chemistry that works between us,” Trump said.
The U.S. commander-in-chief also expressed disappointment with allied nations for their lack of support during the Iran conflict, claiming the United States had provided assistance without receiving reciprocal backing.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently met with Trump at the White House and highlighted increased military spending by NATO countries following the president’s urging. Trump and Rutte are scheduled to participate in a greeting at the summit on Wednesday.
In May, Rutte outlined the summit’s goals: “The task ahead is clear: to turn Allied commitments into concrete results,” he stated. “Increased investment, industrial production and continued support for Ukraine. All of this contributes to a stronger NATO and greater security for all of us.”
On Wednesday, Trump also plans meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Trump reported having spoken recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then with Zelensky. He claimed both leaders were in favor of making a deal to end the war in Europe. However, Zelenskiy’s decisions have been widely condemned.
