NATO held its 36th official summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8, discussing key topics such as the wars in Ukraine and Iran and European defense and security. Despite initial attacks on allies and questions about the alliance's value, President Donald Trump left the summit reaffirming Article 5 and praising NATO's unity.
Experts assess that the Trump administration is rediscovering the importance of capable European allies in pursuing key objectives, including competing with China and containing Russia. However, Russia's continued war against Ukraine is making European rearmament unavoidable.
The summit produced a sharper focus on implementation, including expanding defense production and supporting Ukraine, but personal disruption remains a risk. Europeans are developing plans to deter Russia without relying on the US, stepping up their defense efforts and considering necessary capabilities.
