NATO leaders to gather in Ankara next week, aiming to smooth over tensions with Trump
In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump complained the United States was spending money to protect NATO members "without getting any benefit from so doing."
Assessment
NATO leaders are convening in Ankara to address growing friction with the Trump administration over defense spending. Trump's public complaint about the U.S. subsidizing allies without reciprocal benefit underscores a core rift. The meeting's success in easing these tensions will shape the alliance's near-term unity and future burden-sharing negotiations.