NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance's summit in Ankara marked a turning point for the bloc, with leaders shifting their focus from making new pledges to implementing concrete commitments aimed at strengthening collective security over the coming decade.
Speaking at the closing press conference on the second and final day of the summit, Rutte said allied nations had agreed on a clear path to reinforce NATO's deterrence and defence capabilities amid an increasingly challenging global security environment.
The dominant theme throughout the two-day gathering was defence spending, with alliance leaders discussing how to translate financial commitments into tangible military capabilities.
Rutte welcomed what he described as credible national plans by member states to meet NATO's target of spending 5% of gross domestic product on defence and security by 2035.
He said allies were now moving beyond promises and focusing on practical measures to strengthen military readiness.
The NATO chief also stressed the need for a significant expansion of defence-industrial production, arguing that the alliance must increase output of key military equipment, including missiles, ammunition and air defence systems.
According to Rutte, boosting production capacity is essential to ensuring NATO can respond effectively to current and future threats.
The war in Ukraine remained a major focus of summit discussions.
Rutte reaffirmed NATO's long-term commitment to supporting Kyiv, saying member states would continue providing the military assistance required for Ukraine to defend itself while maintaining pressure on Russia.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the summit.
The two leaders discussed continued military support for Ukraine, including additional air-defence capabilities.
Both Washington and Kyiv described the meeting as constructive, signalling ongoing cooperation despite previous tensions in the relationship.
Rutte also sought to reassure allies about Washington's role within the alliance, saying the United States remains fully committed to NATO.
At the same time, he welcomed increased defence contributions from European allies and Canada, describing them as evidence of a stronger and more balanced transatlantic partnership.
The summit brought together leaders from NATO's 32 member states at Türkiye's Presidential Complex, where discussions covered defence spending, the conflict in Ukraine, security in the Black Sea region, developments in the Middle East and efforts to expand the alliance's defence-industrial base.
Alongside the leaders' meeting, NATO's Defence Industry Forum unveiled new multinational procurement and production initiatives aimed at accelerating military manufacturing and improving interoperability among allied forces.
Rutte said the decisions taken in Ankara would strengthen NATO's collective defence posture and help ensure the alliance remains prepared to meet evolving security challenges.
With the summit drawing to a close, he said NATO's priority would now shift to implementing the commitments agreed by member states and turning them into operational capabilities.
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 Kuw...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 9th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Militants in southwestern Pakistan have killed 42 army and police personnel in multiple attacks, the country’s military has said. ...
Militants in southwestern Pakistan have killed 42 army and police personnel in multiple attacks, the country’s military has said.
The European Union is exploring ways to support the development of transport routes connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of broader efforts to promote lasting peace and regional integration in the South Caucasus, according to EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono.
A United Nations investigation has concluded that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed atrocities amounting to genocide during their siege and capture of el-Fasher in North Darfur last year, while concern is mounting that similar abuses could be unfolding around al-Obeid.
Russia launched another wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and underscoring Kyiv's growing concerns over dwindling supplies of U.S.-made air-defence interceptors.
The U.S. says it has launched strikes on Iran after alleged attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the action as a response to threats against civilian shipping and a breach of the ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
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.
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, has described fresh U.S. strikes on Iran as "absolutely necessary," in remarks at the start of the second day of the alliance's sumit in the Turkish capital Ankara.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 8th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
China's technology sector is producing billion-dollar startups at its fastest pace in nearly five years, with artificial intelligence and robotics driving a new wave of investment that is reshaping the country's innovation economy.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 9th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A United Nations investigation has concluded that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed atrocities amounting to genocide during their siege and capture of el-Fasher in North Darfur last year, while concern is mounting that similar abuses could be unfolding around al-Obeid.
Russia launched another wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and underscoring Kyiv's growing concerns over dwindling supplies of U.S.-made air-defence interceptors.
U.S. President Donald Trump has informed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that he intends to remove Syria from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could pave the way for greater foreign investment and deeper economic engagement with Washington.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment