NATO summit in Ankara: Is the alliance at a breaking point?
NATO leaders gather in Ankara for a two-day summit focusing on defense spending, support for Ukraine, and rising tensions between the US and other members, fueled by President Donald Trump's criticism of the alliance.
Starting Tuesday, 32 leaders of the transatlantic alliance are meeting in Ankara for a two-day summit. The agenda includes three priorities: increasing defense investment, expanding Europe's defense industrial base, and ensuring long-term military aid for Ukraine. However, the talks are overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's repeated criticisms of NATO.
Trump recently labeled the US contribution to NATO as "ridiculous," arguing Washington spends more money protecting allies without reciprocal benefit. On May 1, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany after a force posture review in Europe.
Tensions and adaptation
Ian Lesser from the German Marshall Fund stated the alliance is not at a breaking point but entering a period of profound adjustment. Sophia Besch from the Carnegie Endowment noted that European leaders have accepted the changing US commitment and seek greater predictability in the transition to a European-led NATO.
Defense spending among European allies rose by 62% between 2020 and 2025, yet capability gaps persist. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates that replacing the most critical US conventional capabilities would require roughly $1 trillion and take a decade or more.
US withdrawal unlikely
Analysts stress that a formal US withdrawal from NATO would require a two-thirds Senate majority or an act of Congress—scenarios considered unlikely due to broad bipartisan support for the alliance. "It's in the US interest to stay engaged in Europe's security and maintain a key role in NATO," Lesser emphasized.
