NATO leaders are unveiling multi-billion-dollar arms deals in Ankara as President Donald Trump joins the summit, highlighting Europe's increased defence spending amid tensions over Russia and Iran, and following years of U.S. criticism of the alliance.
The UK and the Netherlands have signed a new maritime partnership under which British and Dutch forces will be equipped with new amphibious transport ships. The vessels will be built in UK shipyards alongside Dutch industry as part of a £2.4 billion ($3.3 billion) deal, according to the UK government.
New NATO data released ahead of the alliance's summit in Ankara shows that Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Greece are projected to meet the alliance's 3.5% of GDP core defence spending target this year, well ahead of the 2035 deadline.
The figures also show some members are expected to spend only around 2% of GDP in 2026, while European NATO members and Canada are projected to spend an average of 2.53% on core defence.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday she expects allies to respect Denmark's sovereignty and accept that Greenland is not for sale.
She was speaking at a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara hours after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his ambition to take control of the semi-autonomous Arctic island that is part of the kingdom of Denmark.
Norway will provide 3 billion Norwegian kroner ($306.2 million) to strengthen Ukraine's air defences against ballistic missiles. It will also join Denmark, Germany and Canada in procuring new Patriot air defence missiles directly from the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's refusal to support U.S. action against Iran had strained their relationship, despite describing her as a "nice person". Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said Italy's stance was a mistake, as the two leaders continue to navigate growing diplomatic tensions
NATO allies and Gulf Arab states are holding talks on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz during the Ankara summit. France and the UK are expected to outline plans for a multinational mission to protect shipping, but diplomats say any lasting arrangement would require Iran's approval. The discussions come despite an interim U.S.-Iran accord, with tensions continuing to disrupt one of the world's most important energy routes.
A NATO defence industry forum held ahead of the alliance's summit in Ankara generated at least $50 billion in new defence procurement agreements, according to a NATO official. The final value of the deals is still being calculated.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Greenland should be controlled by the United States rather than Denmark, arguing the Arctic island is vital to U.S. security. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump cited concerns over growing Russian and Chinese activity in the region and said the issue had strained U.S. relations with NATO.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday he hoped his country would expand cooperation with NATO allies in research and development and in production of weapons systems.
Lee was speaking at the NATO summit's Defence Industry Forum in the Turkish capital Ankara.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he hopes for a positive outcome on Türkiye's bid to acquire F-35 fighter jets following talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara.
Erdoğan said Trump had previously promised to deliver the aircraft and expressed confidence that he would keep his word. The two leaders were also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the war in Ukraine could be resolved "hopefully soon" after holding separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said both leaders want to reach a deal. Zelenskyy is expected to meet Trump on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine's military needs.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would lift CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye and decide on a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets during his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the NATO summit in Ankara. The sanctions were imposed in 2020 over Türkiye's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system, which also led to Ankara's removal from the F-35 programme.
Canada is seeking additional countries to join its proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) before announcing its founding members, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said at the NATO summit in Ankara. The initiative aims to raise up to £100 billion ($134 billion) in low-cost financing to support allied defence projects and help defence companies, particularly SMEs, expand production. Luxembourg is currently the only publicly confirmed backer besides Canada.
NATO will launch a shared fleet of Airbus A400M military transport aircraft and add one A330 MRTT refuelling tanker, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced at the Ankara summit.
The initiative aims to strengthen the Alliance's airlift and aerial refuelling capabilities as European allies increase defence spending and reduce reliance on U.S. military support. The A400M fleet will initially use existing aircraft contributed by participating member states, with the possibility of future orders.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is a source of “extraordinary” defensive capability for the NATO alliance as he addressed a defence forum on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
Zelenskyy called on European allies to urgently build a mass-produced anti-ballistic missile defence system and said he hopes the summit will result in new air defence supplies for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European allies to accelerate the development of a domestically produced anti-ballistic missile defence system, saying Europe needs an affordable, mass-produced capability “as soon as possible.”
Zelenskyy made the remarks at a defence forum on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, where he also met with Mark Rutte.
Former NATO Secretary General George Robertson said Britain could receive a "frosty" welcome at the NATO summit in Ankara, criticizing the government for failing to set out a clear path to spending 3.5% of GDP on core defence.
Robertson said growing security threats require faster action and warned the UK's lack of a long-term defence spending plan could frustrate allies as Prime Minister Keir Starmer joins NATO leaders for the summit.
Mark Rutte called for a "transatlantic defence industrial revolution" at a NATO defence industry forum in Ankara, urging companies to increase investment and expand production.
Speaking ahead of the NATO summit, Rutte said defence manufacturers must be prepared to take greater risks, arguing that demand for military equipment is strong and will continue to grow as allies boost defence spending.
Ursula von der Leyen said Europe has entered a "new era of security" as NATO leaders gather in Ankara, stressing that EU member states are increasing defence spending and strengthening the Alliance.
Von der Leyen said Europe is accelerating efforts to rebuild its defence industrial base, arguing that higher investment will enhance the continent's security while supporting jobs and defence production across Europe.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said key decisions are needed at the NATO summit in Ankara to strengthen security, boost defence capabilities and deepen cooperation between Ukraine, Europe and the United States.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would use the summit to pursue new defence agreements, including drone partnerships, expanded air defence support, additional missile supplies and production licences, adding that strengthening the country's air defences remains a top priority.
The Kremlin said Russia will closely monitor the outcome of NATO's summit in Ankara, describing statements made ahead of the meeting about Moscow as "confrontational."
The summit comes as NATO leaders unveil defence deals worth tens of billions of dollars and push for higher military spending in response to U.S. calls for Europe to strengthen its own defence. Leaders are set to meet with Donald Trump during the summit in the Turkish capital.
NATO leaders unveiled tens of billions of dollars' worth of defence deals at an industry forum in Ankara ahead of the Alliance summit, highlighting efforts to boost European military spending and strengthen defence production. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced new multinational procurement initiatives, including surveillance drone purchases from Northrop Grumman and aircraft acquisitions from Saab.
The announcements come ahead of the NATO summit with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged European allies to spend more on defence. Trump is also expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with Reuters reporting Washington is considering allowing Türkiye to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet programme. Leaders are also expected to reaffirm support for Ukraine and pledge €70 billion in assistance for 2026
NATO foreign ministers are meeting with Gulf Arab counterparts in Ankara to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with France and Britain pushing a multinational maritime mission to protect shipping.
The talks come as tensions remain high despite an interim U.S.-Iran peace deal, with reports that a commercial tanker was struck near Oman and Iranian missiles targeted ships transiting the waterway. Iran continues to oppose any foreign military presence in the region, casting doubt on the proposed mission.
France and Britain hope to launch an initial security mission in the Gulf of Oman in the coming days, with support from Oman.
Saab will be able to start deliveries of GlobalEye aircraft in 2030, if NATO contracts the company quickly, the CEO of the Swedish defence group, Micael Johansson, told reporters at a press conference in Ankara on Tuesday.
Johansson added that the final price had not yet been agreed but that it would be between roughly $400 to $450 million per aircraft.
NATO allies are committed to work together to acquire, store, transport and manage stockpiles of critical defence materials, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.
At a defence industry forum in Ankara, Rutte said the initiative involves Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Türkiye.
NATO allies will invest more than $40 billion in the next five years in their capabilities to defend against drones, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that allies, including Norway, Finland, Germany, and Denmark, plan to buy up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drones. This marks the alliance’s first Triton purchase, complementing the existing RQ-4D Phoenix fleet based in Sicily.
Both drone types, derived from the Global Hawk design, will be used for NATO’s ground surveillance programme, offering long-endurance flights of more than 30 hours to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
NATO will deploy a strategic airlift fleet of A400M transport planes and add one aircraft to its existing A330 MRTT tanker and transport fleet.
Secretary General Mark Rutte said the expansion will strengthen the alliance’s rapid deployment and logistical operations.
Leaders from NATO's 32 member countries, along with officials from partner nations, will gather on Tuesday and Wednesday in Ankara, Türkiye, for talks focused on the future of the alliance and global security.
Among the key topics are defence spending, military cooperation, Türkiye's role within NATO, its growing defence industry, and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
A special meeting of NATO foreign ministers is also being held in Ankara.
Ankara is under tight security as world leaders arrive for a NATO summit that could shape the security alliance’s future.
President Donald Trump departed Maryland USA at roughly 9:41pm local time on Monday. He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Foreign and Defence Ministers of other countries have started arriving at the Türkiye's Esenboga Airport.
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It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Wednesday.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged China and North Korea to strengthen cooperation and maintain "strategic resolve" amid what he described as growing global instability. He made the remarks during talks with North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song in Beijing on Friday.
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