Trump Overshadows Nato as Europe Pushes Rearmament

Donald Trump cast a long shadow over the Nato summit in Ankara, where alliance leaders are attempting to project unity while accelerating efforts to strengthen Europe's defences.

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Turkey gave the US president a high-profile welcome, with a ceremonial reception led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders arrived together after Erdogan greeted Trump at the airport, while a military band played the US national anthem and Turkish fighter jets staged a flypast.

Although the summit is focused on Nato's security priorities, Trump quickly drew attention with remarks that threatened to distract from the alliance's agenda.

Trump dominates summit opening

Shortly after arriving, he repeated his view that the United States should take control of Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory that forms part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a Nato member. Trump acknowledged that his previous comments on the issue had strained relations within the alliance. Denmark has previously warned that any attempt by the US to seize Greenland by force would effectively end Nato.

Disagreements over Iran

Trump also revisited disagreements over the US military campaign against Iran earlier this year, expressing frustration that Nato allies did not join the conflict, which Washington launched without consulting the alliance.

He criticised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer despite Britain's decision to allow US forces to use British airbases for strikes on Iranian missile sites.

Speaking about Starmer, Trump said: "He said no we'll help after the war is over. I said I don't want that kind of help. We didn't need any help at all. In a way I was testing people, I was testing to see whether or not they'd be there because I've long said that we help them but I'm not sure that they'd be there for us."

The British delegation has sought to highlight defence cooperation with European partners during the summit. However, Starmer has arrived in Ankara facing criticism that the UK's Defence Investment Plan falls well short of the funding levels outlined in last year's Strategic Defence Review.

Europe focuses on defence

Away from the political tensions, Nato members have concentrated on expanding Europe's military capabilities and strengthening defence industrial cooperation.

The alliance announced major contracts for a new fleet of Airbus transport aircraft, while Sweden's GlobeEye aircraft will replace Nato's ageing AWACS airborne early warning fleet. Delegates have also discussed joint missile development programmes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to speed up the development of European air defence systems, warning that Russia's continued missile attacks on Ukraine highlight the need for stronger protection.

In recent days, Russian ballistic missile strikes have hit residential areas in Kyiv, killing dozens of civilians, while Ukrainian air defence units have reported critical shortages of interceptor missiles.

"Europe needs its own effective anti-ballistic system and missiles," Zelensky said.

"And this work is already under way and I urge you and all of our partners to give it the attention it deserves. And this cannot wait until 2030 or beyond, Europe needs affordable mass-produced anti-ballistic systems as soon as possible."

Preparing for future threats

Nato leaders say they want the war in Ukraine to end, but many also fear that any ceasefire could allow Russia to rebuild its military rapidly.

With the United States steadily reducing its defence commitments in Europe, alliance members are accelerating plans to strengthen their own capabilities, particularly in air defence, amid concerns that Russia could be capable of threatening Nato territory within four years.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 8 July 2026

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