Donald Trump arrives at the NATO summit in Turkey with a notably grim demeanor, reflecting his growing skepticism towards European defense support. Over the past year, he has increasingly criticized European nations for not backing him during the conflict with Iran.
Trump has never outright rejected the idea of exiting NATO, frequently questioning the alliance’s value to the United States, which he claims is responsible for ensuring Europe’s security. This skepticism has created a tense atmosphere ahead of the upcoming summit, which Trump has expressed he is attending reluctantly.
During a meeting last month with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump stated that his attendance is primarily due to the summit’s location in Turkey, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he considers a friend.
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Trump and his team were privately warned that refusing to attend the summit, despite his arguments, would be viewed as a sign of disrespect towards Erdogan.
European leaders are hopeful that the meeting in Ankara will conclude without significant conflicts, as they plan to make new commitments in defense to appease Trump’s frustrations. Rutte also sought to smooth over any disagreements during his visit to the White House in June, as reported by CNN.
However, during tense private discussions last week, many officials expressed uncertainty about whether the summit would proceed smoothly, given Trump’s bleak mood.
Despite Trump’s conflicts with European leaders not derailing last month’s G7 summit in France, media reports noted that he seemed to get along with colleagues he had previously criticized harshly, possibly inspired by positive developments in negotiations regarding Iran.
Yet, following his departure, Trump clashed once again with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alleging she had “begged” for a photo with him, which she denied. Trump suggested he might need a “restraining order” against her. An American official indicated that this conflict adds further uncertainty to the summit.
Context
- The NATO summit on July 7-8 in Ankara will include leaders from 32 member states, according to NATO’s press service.
- On July 8, a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled during the NATO summit in Turkey, where they are expected to discuss ways to end the war initiated by Russia.
