NATO summit was supposed to focus on defense spending, Trump's strikes on Iran changed that - AP
Kyiv • UNN
US President Donald Trump launched a series of strikes on Iran in response to an attack on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He also revoked a license that allowed Tehran to sell oil, causing surprise among NATO leaders.
U.S. President Donald Trump surprised NATO leaders meeting with him in Turkey by launching a series of strikes on Iran late Tuesday and revoking the license that allowed Tehran to sell its oil on the global market, marking a major turning point at a summit aimed at demonstrating how alliance members are increasing defense spending and focusing on supporting Ukraine in the war unleashed by Russia, AP reports, writes UNN.
Details
The strikes were a response to three commercial vessels being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and underscored the fragility of the temporary ceasefire agreement ending months of hostilities between the two countries. Trump launched the attacks shortly after leaving a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where leaders of the 32 alliance member countries gathered ahead of talks on Wednesday that were supposed to focus on progress made in meeting NATO spending targets.
Trump did not directly discuss the strikes on Tuesday evening. U.S. presidents rarely initiate military action while outside the United States, although in 2011 former President Barack Obama authorized strikes in Libya during a trip to Brazil.
European allies and Canada feared that Trump might voice new grievances regarding the US-Israeli war against Iran, about which they were never consulted. Trump demanded "loyalty" and called NATO a "paper tiger" after some allies refused to give US troops open access to their bases for an attack on Iran.
On Tuesday, during a meeting with Erdogan, Trump said he was testing NATO allies when he asked them for help in the war with Iran. "Italy refused us, Germany refused us, and France refused us," Trump said. "And that's fine. But, you know, why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars and they don't help us?"
NATO summits are meant to be a show of unity aimed at deterring any potential adversary – a decision more important than ever as Russia continues to wage war against Ukraine and fears grow that other European countries could become targets, the publication writes.
Last month, in an attempt to appease the US leader, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte traveled to Washington to welcome "Trump's trillion" - the $1.2 trillion that European allies and Canada have added to defense spending since Trump came to power in 2017.
As leaders gathered in Ankara, Rutte held a "big event" to showcase the numerous deals planned with that money - much of which will be spent on American companies, creating thousands of jobs for Americans.
NATO diplomats and officials had hoped Trump would claim victory, but judging by some of his statements after arriving in Turkey, they face renewed pressure, the publication notes.
On the eve of the meeting, Trump reopened old wounds over Greenland, insisting that the United States should control the semi-autonomous island rather than NATO ally Denmark. NATO is founded on the principle that its 32 members will defend each other's territory, not threaten to seize it.
Trump again stated that Greenland should come under US control07.07.26, 18:54 • 3126 views
On Wednesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen again rejected the demand, saying that "Greenland is, of course, not for sale."
Danish Prime Minister responds to Trump's statement on Greenland07.07.26, 23:50 • 14154 views
"We hope that everyone, including all allies, will respect the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination," she said. "And we are sovereign states, and we need everyone to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty."
She said that Denmark is "ready to defend every inch of NATO, including our own territory" in the event of an attack and will rely on NATO allies to fulfill their obligation to defend each other.
Trump has long argued that the US bears more than its fair share of the defense burden for NATO. At last year's summit, allies agreed to invest 5% of their gross domestic product in defense – 3.5% in their defense budgets and 1.5% in roads, bridges and ports so that troops and equipment can move faster during a conflict.
Rutte, ahead of this year's meeting, demanded that members of the organization present "clear, concrete and convincing plans" to achieve the organization's defense spending targets.
New data released by NATO on Tuesday showed that Slovenia, Belgium, Spain and the Czech Republic could find themselves in a difficult position with the Trump administration as they struggle to meet the alliance's old goal of investing 2% of their GDP.
The Trump administration wants to see a more economical and lethal "NATO 3.0", where Europe takes responsibility for its own security, including Ukraine, with conventional weapons, while America continues to provide the nuclear umbrella, the publication notes.
However, European allies and Canada are still seeking clarity on how deeply Trump intends to cut the number of US troops in Europe.
The Pentagon has launched a 6-month review of this presence, and reductions may depend on how quickly European allies increase defense spending and whether they are willing to allow greater use of their bases.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday again appealed for permission for Ukraine to join the alliance, saying that the Ukrainian armed forces have extensive experience and will only strengthen NATO's defense capabilities.
Trump to meet with Zelenskyy in Ankara: meeting time announced07.07.26, 15:06 • 2464 views
Zelenskyy, who is expected to meet with Trump in Ankara on Wednesday, emphasized Ukraine's adaptability and its ability to strike deep inside Russia, hitting Moscow's oil refineries and other energy targets. He said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine "eliminate" an average of 30,000 Russian military personnel every month.
Among some countries in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, there is growing concern that Russia may be preparing a hybrid attack - a combination of conventional warfare with tactics such as cyberattacks - on the continent.
Trump will also meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former rebel who led the offensive that ousted autocrat Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Despite once being an Al-Qaeda fighter, al-Sharaa has secured Trump's support, as he seeks to rebuild Syria and restore its long-broken ties with the West, the publication writes.
Trump has repeatedly hinted that al-Sharaa would be better at eradicating Hezbollah in Lebanon than the Israeli army, which has caused alarm in both Lebanon and Israel. The Syrian leader has said he is not interested in this.