President Donald Trump pushed NATO allies for years to spend more on defense, finally winning a commitment from other nations to match the U.S. contribution in terms of GDP. But, heading into this week’s summit in Turkey, the president’s top concern appears to have shifted.
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What they’re saying:
“We don’t need their money — we don’t need anything. I just want loyalty,” Trump said during a visit last month by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The president had expressed disappointment that some NATO allies did not join the conflict with Iran.
The backstory:
Trump indicated that he considered not attending the summit, crediting the fact it was being hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a factor in his decision to go. Trump’s comments are an indicator that Erdogan and Rutte may have to keep the summit on track.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump speak during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Meeting with Zelenskyy
Trump will meet with the presidents of Ukraine and Syria, as well, during his trip, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly confirmed.
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The meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comes as his nation has shown a greater ability to strike deeper into Russian lands. Zelenskyy has said that there is “a real prospect of ending this war,” and he hopes the meeting in Ankara will be a step in that direction.
The White House is expected to be in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the meeting. A senior U.S. official told Associated Press reporters Sunday that Trump is feeling a sense of urgency to end the war, which has entered its fifth year.
U.S. officials have not stated why the president is meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, but Trump has suggested that Syria join the fight against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy that operates in Lebanon.
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