NATO is considering canceling its annual summit next year, in 2027, partly to ease tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who often criticizes it, and to avoid drawing attention to the fact that the host country is one of the alliance's lowest spenders, Bloomberg reports, citing UNN.
Details
According to people familiar with the talks, discussions about canceling the annual summits have gained momentum this week as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara. Trump said he came to the Turkish capital only because of warm relations with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, "and used his appearance to once again downplay the military alliance and question its relevance," the publication writes.
The U.S. president's constant remarks about NATO "have raised the possibility that next year's summit, which is to be held in Albania, could be postponed to avoid creating another platform for Trump to devalue allies," sources said, speaking anonymously about private negotiations.
Albania was also one of the laggards in NATO spending, until recently failing to meet the long-standing commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte would like to maintain annual engagement to keep the alliance at the top of the global agenda, sources say, and has tried to impress Trump by touting a significant increase in allies' defense spending.
It is unclear whether this strategy is working, the publication notes.
"The summit will take place in Albania, and whether it happens next year or the year after is a matter under discussion," senior NATO military official Giuseppe Cavo Dragone told Bloomberg TV.
The final statement of NATO leaders following the summit in Ankara did not specify the location or year of the next summit, only mentioning that "we look forward to our next meeting."
Trump again accused allies of unfair NATO funding08.07.26, 11:55