NATO Leaders Expose $1.2 Trillion Split on Alliance Strategy at Ankara Summit
Updated
Updated · Foreign Policy · Jul 13
NATO Leaders Expose $1.2 Trillion Split on Alliance Strategy at Ankara Summit
3 articles · Updated · Foreign Policy · Jul 13
Summary
Ankara’s NATO summit ended without a Trump blow-up, but it exposed a deeper divide over what Europe and Canada’s defense buildup is actually for.
Mark Rutte argues the extra spending should keep the US anchored in Europe; allies have pledged $1.2 trillion more, Germany plans about $125 billion in 2027, and Poland is targeting 5% of GDP.
Mark Carney pushed the opposite hedge—building more independent non-US capabilities as Washington “reassesses its priorities” and allies face a more erratic United States.
That split shaped the summit’s subtext despite a bland communique reaffirming Article 5, and leaders notably left without setting a date for next summer’s meeting.
The argument now reaches beyond burden-sharing to procurement and force design: buy American to preserve US backing, or pursue strategic autonomy closer to Turkey’s more transactional model.
Is the era of America's security guarantee for Europe ending, and what is the new cost of defense?
As American forces leave Europe, can the continent's new military might truly defend itself against rising threats?
The 2026 Ankara NATO Summit: Rising European Self-Reliance and Alliance Tensions
Overview
The NATO Summit in Ankara in July 2026 took place amid uncertainty about the alliance’s future, fueled by controversial claims from President Trump’s administration, such as those involving Greenland and trade with Spain. Despite these tensions, President Trump did not raise these issues during the leaders’ meeting and instead reassured allies of the United States’ commitment, stating, 'We want to remain with you.' French President Macron described Trump’s approach as respectful, and the summit ended with NATO leaders reaffirming their 'ironclad commitment' to collective defense, signaling unity despite underlying geopolitical challenges.