US President Donald Trump ended the NATO summit in Ankara on a far more positive note than he began it, reassuring allies that Washington remains committed to the military alliance after earlier criticising European nations over Iran, defence spending and Greenland.
The sharp change in tone came after a closed meeting of leaders from NATO’s 32 member states, where Trump described the atmosphere as one of unity and cooperation.
Speaking after the summit, the US president said the gathering had been “tremendously successful” and praised the level of solidarity among allied leaders.
He said the discussions reflected a strong sense of partnership despite differences raised earlier in the day.
According to a source familiar with the meeting, Trump privately assured fellow leaders that the United States intends to remain fully engaged in NATO. That message was reflected in the summit’s final declaration, in which member states reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to Article 5, the alliance’s collective defence principle stating that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
The summit was closely watched as European governments sought to convince Washington that they are increasing defence spending and taking greater responsibility for regional security.
Several countries have pledged significant increases to military budgets in recent years in response to growing security concerns.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the meeting strengthened confidence in NATO’s future, adding that Europe was assuming a larger role in safeguarding its own security while maintaining close cooperation with the United States.
However, the atmosphere had initially been far more strained.
Before the leaders met behind closed doors, Trump criticised NATO members for not offering stronger backing during the recent conflict involving Iran.
He also renewed his criticism of Denmark over Greenland and warned that Spain could face trade consequences following disagreements over defence matters.
Despite those public remarks, officials attending the private discussions described the conversations as more constructive.
One participant said there was a noticeable difference between Trump’s public statements and his comments during the meeting, where he focused on strengthening cooperation within the alliance.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez later described relations with Washington as positive. During his return flight to the United States, Trump also praised Spain’s contribution at the summit, suggesting that tensions had eased.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Trump’s message encouraged European countries to continue increasing defence investment, describing the overall discussions as constructive and forward-looking.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys also urged against interpreting the earlier disagreements as evidence of divisions within NATO.
He said the alliance remained united and that occasional disputes should not be mistaken for a weakening of transatlantic ties.
The war in Ukraine remained a central topic throughout the summit. During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump announced that the United States would allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defence systems under licence. The move is intended to help Kyiv strengthen its ability to defend against continuing Russian missile attacks as supplies of interceptor missiles remain under pressure.
Trump also suggested that Ukraine’s recent military operations inside Russian territory, while representing an escalation in the conflict, could increase the chances of eventually reaching a negotiated settlement.
He repeated his view that both Kyiv and Moscow ultimately want to end the war through diplomacy.
The summit concluded with NATO members from Europe and Canada committing to maintain substantial military support for Ukraine. Under the agreement, allies pledged to provide around €70 billion in annual assistance during both 2026 and 2027.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged that differences among allies had been evident during the gathering but insisted the alliance had emerged stronger.
He compared NATO to a family that can disagree at times while remaining united in facing shared security challenges.
Although public disagreements briefly overshadowed the meeting, the summit ultimately ended with renewed commitments to collective defence, increased European military spending and continued support for Ukraine, offering reassurance that NATO’s core partnership remains intact despite political tensions.
