Trump criticizes NATO, muses on troop cuts as Zelensky presses for air defense

President Donald Trump has arrived at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 7-8, 2026, where discussions are set to intensify regarding the alliance's future and member contributions. His attendance follows a personal invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, amidst ongoing tensions over defense spending and transatlantic relations. Trump is expected to pressure European allies to increase their defense budgets significantly, with calls for countries to meet a 5% GDP target by 2035.

A key point of contention at the summit involves potential reductions in U.S. troop presence across Europe. The White House is reportedly considering cutting the number of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets allocated to Europe by one-third, and the U.S. Defense Secretary has threatened to reduce troop numbers in member states with lower defense spending. These moves aim to shift more of the defense burden onto European nations.

Furthermore, the summit will address the highly anticipated prospect of restoring Turkey's access to the F-35 fighter jet program. The U.S. suspended Turkey from the program in 2019 following Ankara's acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, citing concerns that the system could compromise the F-35's stealth technology. While President Trump has indicated a willingness to potentially reverse this ban, the move is anticipated to face considerable opposition from the U.S. Congress due to existing legal restrictions.