NATO allies seek to win over Trump after Iran ire

NATO allies will showcase surging defense spending at a summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday, seeking to ease President Donald Trump's anger over Europe's response to the Iran war.

The two-day gathering at Turkey's presidential palace comes a year after NATO members pledged to raise security spending to five percent of GDP under pressure from the US leader.

Why is NATO trying to win over Trump?

NATO allies want to show Trump they are following through on last year's spending pledge. NATO chief Mark Rutte says European countries are delivering by boosting military budgets and taking more responsibility for their own defense against Russia. New arms deals and defense announcements timed to the summit are meant to reinforce that message.

Rutte told journalists in Ankara ahead of the summit that the alliance has made transformational progress in just one year. Trump left Washington for the summit late Monday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. NATO has lined up a series of major figures and deals to impress him, with one senior European diplomat calling it "showtime."

At an industry forum Tuesday, leaders are set to unveil new arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars. Canada announced Monday it had chosen Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build its new submarine fleet. Ottawa framed the deal as part of a broader push to deepen defense ties with European NATO members.

What is Trump's grievance with NATO allies?

Trump remains angry that European countries restricted US forces from using their bases to strike Iran. He has spent the days before the summit criticizing allies for moving too slowly on defense commitments. Last week on Truth Social, he called the current arrangement one sided and said allies were not there for the US.

European leaders are hoping simply to avoid a public clash with Trump, whose comments have repeatedly cast doubt on Washington's commitment to defending its allies. Diplomats are counting on Trump's rapport with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Rutte's efforts to manage his mood. Trump has clashed with other leaders before, most recently Italy's Giorgia Meloni, so tensions could still flare.

Does Donald Trump support NATO?

Trump's support for NATO has come with conditions tied to allied spending and burden sharing. To address his concerns on Iran, France and Britain have led a plan for a naval mission to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Allied countries have already moved vessels closer to the region.

Europeans still want more clarity on how the fragile US-Iran deal is holding before committing naval forces. Many European leaders now accept that the US is gradually stepping back from the alliance. Washington has told allies to lead on conventional defense of the continent and recently cut the military assets it provides to NATO commanders.

European nations aim to prove they can take on a larger defense role while keeping the US engaged. Rutte described the shift as evidence of a new mindset, calling it "NATO 3.0" and describing the goal as a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO.

What is NATO doing for Ukraine?

Beyond their own defense, European nations have taken over nearly all military support for Ukraine as US aid has declined. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attending Tuesday's leaders' dinner, is expected to secure a pledge from European allies to provide at least 70 billion euros, or about $80 billion, in military aid annually in 2026 and 2027.

Zelensky, who will also meet Trump in Ankara, is pushing NATO to make strong decisions on strengthening Ukraine's air defenses after a Russian strike killed nearly 30 people. He is expected to argue to Trump that Kyiv is gaining ground in the war and that Washington should press Moscow toward serious peace talks. Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the summit.