NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits to avoid tense meetings with US President Donald Trump. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits. This move could help avoid a potentially tense meeting with US President Donald Trump during his final year in office,
It is noted that the Trump administration has repeatedly expressed sharp criticism toward many of the 31 other members of the US-led defense alliance, recently rebuking some for not providing more assistance to US military operations against Iran.
The frequency of NATO summits has varied throughout the alliance's 77-year history, but its leaders have met every summer since 2021 and will gather this year in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on July 7 and 8. However, some NATO members are pushing for a slower pace.
One diplomat stated that the 2027 summit, scheduled to take place in Albania, will likely occur that autumn, and NATO is considering not holding one at all in 2028 — the year of the US presidential election and Trump's last full calendar year in office.
Another diplomat said that some countries are pushing for summits to be held every two years, adding that no decision has been made yet, and Secretary General Mark Rutte will have the final word.
In response to a request from Reuters, a NATO official stated: "NATO will continue to hold regular meetings of heads of state and government, and between summits, NATO allies will continue to consult, plan, and make decisions regarding our collective security."
Some diplomats and analysts have long argued that annual summits create pressure for spectacular results, which distracts from long-term planning.
As a reminder
Turkey will host the summit of NATO leaders in July 2026 in the country's capital, Ankara, to "set the stage for making important decisions.".