Ankara NATO Summit concludes: Defense, Ukraine and Article 5 messages take center stage

The 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit hosted by Ankara has come to an end. Following two days of meetings at the Presidential Complex, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the summit as “extremely successful” and said the commitments made by allies are now being put into action in Ankara.

Rutte: NATO delivers results

Speaking at a press conference after the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the meetings in Ankara marked an important stage for the Alliance. Rutte said, “The message of this summit is simple: NATO delivers.”

Referring to the decisions taken at last year’s summit in The Hague, Rutte said the commitments made by allies to strengthen the Alliance were now being implemented in Ankara under the hosting of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Defense spending target set at 5 percent

Increasing defense investments was one of the main items on the summit agenda. Rutte said allies had made significant progress toward the goal of allocating 5 percent of gross domestic product to defense by 2035.

He stressed that the target was not only about spending more, but also about ensuring that armed forces have the capabilities they need in a more dangerous world.

Procurement deals exceed 50 billion dollars

Defense industry cooperation was another prominent topic at the Ankara Summit. More than 50 billion dollars in new procurement agreements were signed in a single day as part of the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum.

The summit declaration stated that allies committed to increasing collective production capacity, accelerating innovation and working more closely with the industrial sector.

NATO Drone Edge initiative launched

New steps on unmanned systems were also announced during the summit. Rutte said allies launched the “NATO Drone Edge” initiative. Under the initiative, 40 billion dollars is expected to be invested in unmanned systems over the next five years.

A 27 billion euro infrastructure investment will also be implemented to strengthen NATO’s fuel supply chain.

New steps are also planned in technological fields such as artificial intelligence and interoperable transatlantic combat cloud infrastructure.

At least 70 billion euros in support for Ukraine

Support for Ukraine was one of the major agenda items at the summit. NATO Secretary General Rutte said allies pledged to provide Ukraine with at least 70 billion euros in military equipment, assistance and training this year and next year.

The summit declaration also reaffirmed the commitment to maintain support for Ukraine at least at the same level in 2027.

Czechia objects to Ukraine pledge

Czechia made a different statement on the Ukraine support package. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said his country would not contribute to the 70 billion euro commitment for military equipment, assistance and training.

Babis said Europe should focus especially on defense against ballistic missiles.

NATO reception in Ankara: Leaders pose for family photo at Presidential Complex

Article 5 commitment reaffirmed

The Ankara Summit declaration reaffirmed NATO’s collective defense principle. The declaration underlined the allies’ “unwavering commitment” to Article 5, which states that an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all, and to the transatlantic bond.

Rutte also said leaders in Ankara sent a strong message of unity on collective defense.

“I have not seen anything like this in recent history”

Rutte described the atmosphere during the two-day summit with an emphasis on unity. “What I saw in the room with 32 leaders together was a tremendous sense of unity. I have not seen anything like this in recent history,” he said.

Rutte added that tough discussions among allies were natural and that different views within an alliance of democratic countries made NATO stronger.

Erdoğan holds intense diplomatic talks

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held several bilateral meetings during the summit. Erdoğan met behind closed doors with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The meetings focused on bilateral relations as well as defense industry cooperation, trade, energy, European security, the Russia-Ukraine War, Iran, Libya and regional developments.

Trade and European security discussed with Macron

The meeting between President Erdoğan and French President Macron focused on Türkiye-France relations, regional developments and global issues.

Erdoğan said it was time for Türkiye and France to raise their mutual trade targets.

Referring to the importance of preserving the transatlantic bond as NATO allies, Erdoğan said the European pillar could be strengthened without weakening allied ties.

Defense, energy and Libya on the table with Meloni

Türkiye-Italy relations were discussed during Erdoğan’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

President Erdoğan said it was important to improve cooperation between the two countries in many areas, especially defense industry, investment, energy and trade.

Erdoğan also said Türkiye wanted to discuss not obstacles with the European Union, but the final issues standing before its membership process.

The meeting also addressed the Four-Party Cooperation Process on Libya, launched by Türkiye, Italy, Qatar and Libya.

German Chancellor Merz invited to Antalya

During his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of advancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in defense industry and trade.

Erdoğan said the transatlantic bond should be preserved while strengthening NATO’s European pillar.

President Erdoğan also invited Merz to the COP31 Leaders Summit to be held in Antalya in November.

Türkiye and the United Kingdom sign security and defense document

One of the notable developments at the summit was the signing of a Security and Defense Partnership Document between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

The document was signed during the meeting between President Erdoğan and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aiming to institutionalize cooperation between the two countries in defense and security.

The partnership is expected to strengthen cooperation in areas including deterrence and defense, military cooperation, defense industry and technology, cyber security, hybrid threats, counterterrorism, resilience, civil preparedness and space.

Trump comments on Türkiye

U.S. President Donald Trump also made notable remarks after the summit.

Speaking before his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Shara, Trump said Syria could be removed from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.”

Trump also responded to a question about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance toward President Erdoğan.

Trump said Erdoğan and Netanyahu did not get along, adding, “Erdoğan has been great for me. Türkiye has been a wonderful ally. It is also a NATO country.”

Rutte responds to S-400 question

NATO Secretary General Rutte was also asked about Türkiye’s Russian S-400 air defense system.

Rutte said the issue was mainly a bilateral matter to be addressed between Ankara and Washington.

He said Türkiye and the United States were working on the issue and added that he preferred not to comment publicly.

Iran and Arctic security also discussed

Iran was another issue raised during the summit. Rutte said NATO’s position on Iran was clear and that the Alliance’s common policy was that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons capability.

He also spoke about the Arctic region, saying NATO had taken action against the risk of Russia and China gaining greater access in the region.

Meloni: Europe must ensure its own security

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a press conference after the summit and commented on European security and defense spending.

Meloni said Italy’s share allocated to defense and security had increased and that the country would fulfill its commitments in a sustainable way.

“The time has come for Europe to ensure its own security by itself. This is not to do anyone a favor, but to avoid being dependent on anyone,” Meloni said.

Referring to the crisis in Iran, Meloni said she was concerned and added that the military option had not produced concrete results, stressing that negotiations should be pursued.

Netherlands thanks Türkiye

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also thanked Türkiye for hosting the summit.

Jetten said the Ankara summit was very well organized and emphasized that NATO was vital for Europe’s security.

He described Türkiye as one of the most important allies in NATO, saying the country had a strong military and played an important role in European security.

Leaders sign the family photo

Following the official welcoming ceremony at the summit, leaders posed for a family photo. The printed and framed photo was signed by the leaders one by one. President Erdoğan placed the final signature on the photo.

Next summit to be held in Albania

NATO Secretary General Rutte announced that the next NATO Summit would be held in Albania. Rutte said the decision had been taken at the summit in The Hague, adding that the exact date had not yet been determined.

Leaders leave Ankara

After the summit came to an end, leaders began leaving Ankara. Official state aircraft carrying the leaders and delegations of Denmark, Canada, Spain, Italy and Germany departed from Ankara Airport. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also left Ankara by private jet.

Emine Erdoğan hosted the spouses of heads of state and government who came to Ankara as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit at Çankaya Mansion. Welcoming the leaders’ spouses one by one upon their arrival, Erdoğan attended a roundtable meeting with them under the theme “Children, Technology and Security: Protecting the Next Generation.” After the roundtable meeting, Emine Erdoğan came together with the leaders’ spouses for lunch.