Ankara | July 7, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked fresh debate within NATO after saying he attended the alliance's summit mainly because of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He praised Erdogan as a strong leader while expressing disappointment with several NATO members.
Trump criticized alliance countries for what he called a lack of support during the recent U.S.-Iran conflict. He argued that many allies failed to stand with Washington at a critical moment despite benefiting from America's long-standing security commitments.
The U.S. President also renewed his demand for higher defense spending by European nations, saying the United States should not continue carrying the biggest financial and military burden within NATO. He warned that allies must contribute more to collective security if they expect continued American backing.
Trump emphasized that his relationship with Erdogan remains strong and described Turkey as a key strategic partner in the region. His comments come as NATO leaders meet to discuss regional security, defense cooperation, and growing geopolitical challenges.
The remarks are expected to fuel fresh discussions over NATO unity and the future direction of the alliance under Trump's leadership.
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