Ankara, Turkey. NATO leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are set to reaffirm an “ironclad commitment” to collective defence under Article 5 at a summit in Ankara next week, according to a declaration approved by NATO ambassadors on Friday and reviewed by Reuters. The text also includes a pledge of €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine for 2026 and “at least equivalent levels” of support in 2027.
Summit declaration
The declaration, which still requires final approval from leaders at the July 7-8 summit, states: “We … have gathered in Ankara to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our collective defence under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and to the transatlantic bond. An attack on one is an attack on all.”
Trump and NATO
Trump has frequently criticized NATO and its members, accusing them of not spending enough on defence and relying on the United States to protect Europe.
After clashing with European leaders over the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, Trump cast doubt on the U.S. commitment to NATO’s mutual defence pact and said he was considering quitting the alliance.
The text, approved by the ambassadors of all 32 NATO members including the United States, indicates that Trump is prepared to set aside those ideas for now.
Russia and defence spending
The declaration describes Russia as “a long-term threat” to “Euro-Atlantic security and stability” and says NATO’s European members and Canada are fulfilling their commitment made at last year’s summit in The Hague to increase defence spending.
“We are building the future: a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO,” the text says. “European Allies and Canada, working with the United States, are assuming greater responsibility for the Alliance’s defence.”
Ukraine and Iran
NATO members are also set to pledge €70 billion ($80 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine for 2026 and “at least equivalent levels” of support in 2027, according to the declaration.
The text also states that “Allies reiterate that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon and call on Iran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”.