NATO leaders arrived in Ankara, Turkey, for a summit shaped by two very different messages. On one side, the alliance unveiled major military projects meant to prove that members are turning defense promises into real capability. On the other, President Donald Trump again stirred concern among allies by repeating his demand that Greenland should be under U.S. control.
NATO Tries to Show Strength in Ankara
At the summit, NATO presented a series of military projects worth billions of dollars. The goal was clear: show Trump and other critics that European allies and Canada are spending more and building the tools needed for defense. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the investment as “money well spent.”
The announcement came as NATO tries to adjust to a changing U.S. role. Washington has pushed European allies to take more responsibility for their own security, especially as American attention shifts toward other global priorities.
New Aircraft and Drones Take Center Stage
One of the key announcements involved replacing NATO’s aging AWACS early warning radar planes. Swedish manufacturer Saab is set to supply up to 10 GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for a 10-nation group, according to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
NATO also announced plans connected to air refueling, transport planes, and Triton surveillance drones. The projects are meant to improve the alliance’s ability to monitor threats, move equipment, and respond faster during a crisis.
Trump Presses Allies and Rewards Turkey
Trump used the summit to focus on loyalty, spending, and his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During a meeting with Erdogan, Trump said the U.S. would remove sanctions placed on Turkey after Ankara bought a Russian missile defense system.
“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off, OK?” Trump said. He also said selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey is “certainly something we will consider.” The move could help Turkey return to the fighter jet program, though legal and political obstacles remain.
Greenland Demand Raises NATO Tensions
Trump also repeated his position that Greenland should be controlled by the United States. Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, which is a NATO member. Trump told reporters, “That should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.”
The statement added tension to a summit already focused on NATO’s future. The alliance is built on the idea that members defend one another’s territory, so Trump’s comments about Greenland have raised deeper questions about unity inside NATO.
Ukraine Pushes for a Place in NATO
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also used the summit to renew his call for membership in the alliance. He said Ukraine’s armed forces have gained major battlefield experience during the war with Russia and would strengthen NATO if allowed to join.
“Ukraine belongs in NATO,” Zelenskyy said. His appeal came as European countries remain concerned about Russia and possible future threats to the continent.
A Summit About Firepower and Trust
The Ankara summit showed NATO trying to send a message of strength. New defense projects, surveillance aircraft, drones, and spending plans were all meant to prove that the alliance is becoming more capable.
Still, the summit also revealed how fragile NATO politics can be. Trump’s demands on spending, his support for Turkey, and his renewed comments on Greenland showed that the alliance’s biggest challenge may not only be building more firepower, but also keeping trust among its own members.
