Europe-US Rift Widens Over Iran and Greenland Issues; Key Points of NATO Summit

(CNA Brussels, July 6 - Reuters) As U.S. President Trump continues to demand increased defense spending from Europe, and friction between the two sides of the Atlantic intensifies over the Iran conflict and the Greenland issue, leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will convene their annual summit for two days starting tomorrow.

In addition to announcing a reduction in troop presence in Europe and a six-month review of U.S. military deployments on the continent, U.S. President Trump's frequent criticisms of NATO have exacerbated uncertainty within the alliance.

Here are the key points of the upcoming NATO annual summit in Ankara, Turkey, as compiled by Reuters.

● Agenda Focus

The Trump administration has been pressuring Europe to increase defense spending and take primary responsibility for continental defense. Officials expect NATO leaders to focus on progress towards defense spending targets, boosting defense industry output, and how to implement the "transfer" of burdens from the U.S. to Europe.

● Attending Leaders

Leaders from all 32 NATO member states, including Trump, will attend the summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to join the NATO leaders' dinner on the evening of the 7th.

● Defense Issues

European leaders will strive to show Trump that they are fulfilling the commitments made at last year's summit in The Hague, allocating approximately 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense and related expenditures by 2035.

According to a text seen by Reuters, NATO leaders are expected to state in the summit declaration: "In 2025, European Allies and Canada have increased their investment in core defense needs by over $139 billion."

They are expected to state: "We are building the future, a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO, a modernized alliance. European Allies and Canada are working with the United States to take greater responsibility for the Alliance's defense."

● NATO and Ukraine

NATO member states are expected to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and pledge further assistance. NATO leaders are expected to state: "By 2026, Allies have committed to providing Ukraine with 70 billion euros in military equipment, aid, and training, and confirm the commitment to Ukraine support at least until 2027."

Some of the funding will come from existing bilateral commitments and an EU loan facility of 60 billion euros for Ukraine's defense investment and procurement from 2026 to 2027. The United States is not expected to contribute financially.

● Defense Industry Issues

Last year's summit focused on reaching new spending commitments, but officials hope this year will focus on expanding weapons production and promoting defense innovation.

NATO will host a defense industry forum in Ankara tomorrow, where deals worth tens of billions of dollars are expected to be announced.

● Iran Conflict

European officials are concerned that the Iran conflict, and Trump's dissatisfaction with European countries' responses, could cast a shadow over the summit.

NATO leaders are expected to state in the summit declaration: "Allies reiterate that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons and call on Iran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

● Host Turkey

Turkey will seek to highlight its growing defense industry capabilities and reiterate its long-standing call for member states to lift all defense trade restrictions within NATO.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also hopes to make progress with allies such as France and Italy on the procurement of the SAMP/T air defense system and other defense industry cooperation.

In bilateral talks with Trump, Erdogan is expected to emphasize the improvement of relations between Ankara and Washington, while also pressing for the lifting of sanctions and seeking an opportunity to join the F-35 fighter jet program.

● Other Officials Attending

Also in Ankara, NATO foreign ministers are expected to meet with their counterparts from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and will hold a dinner meeting with the Ukrainian foreign minister and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

NATO defense ministers will also hold talks with ministers from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. (Compiled by Liu Shu-chin) 0706115

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