22 May 2026 15:03 UTC · NATO · NATO News · Source · Email X Link

NATO says Ministers helped lay groundwork for Ankara Summit

Key points

Ministers agreed on a path to 5% defence investment
Ministers agreed to increase defence industrial production and continue support to Ukraine

TL;DR

NATO Foreign Ministers met in Helsingborg, Sweden, and their discussions helped lay the groundwork for the NATO Summit in Ankara in July.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Allies are charting a credible path to 5% with steady, sustained defence investment to strengthen forces and deter adversaries.
Ministers agreed on increasing defence industrial production, sustaining substantial support to Ukraine, and discussed wider security including the situation in the Middle East and Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Original text

Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 22 May 2026 2 MIN READ NATO Foreign Ministers concluded a meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, on Friday (22 May 2026). Their discussions helped lay the groundwork for the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara this July. A stronger and fairer NATO, increased defence spending, stronger defence industrial production, and continued support to Ukraine were among the key topics discussed in Helsingborg, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said following the meeting. “Today, Ministers discussed how their countries are charting a credible path to the 5%. This means steady and sustained increases in defence investment,” he said, stressing that investment is essential to ensure Allies remain capable and prepared, “so that we can further strengthen our armed forces, and ensure they have the equipment they need to deter any adversary and defend every Ally.” Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of increasing defence industrial production across the Alliance. “We do this best when we work together,” Mr Rutte said. He also welcomed that European Allies and Canada are taking greater responsibility for conventional defence and highlighted the strength of the transatlantic bond. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia joined Foreign Ministers on Thursday (21 May) for discussions on NATO’s support for Ukraine. As Russia continues to wage its war of aggression, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, the Secretary General said that Allies are, “working to ensure that our support for Ukraine remains substantial, remains predictable, remains sustainable, and based on Ukraine’s critical requirements.” NATO Foreign Ministers also discussed wider developments affecting Allied security, including the situation in the Middle East. By closing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran threatens freedom of navigation and global commerce and “attempts to hold the global economy hostage,” Mr Rutte said. “This is another clear reminder of how security challenges are increasingly interconnected – and that Allies and partners have a strong interest in working closely and proactively together,” he added. The Secretary General met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their discussions focused on defence spending, defence industrial production, and the development of a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO. Following the conclusion of the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, the Secretary General explained that the task ahead is clear, Allies must turn commitments into concrete results: “increased investment, industrial production, and continued support to Ukraine. All of this contributes to a stronger NATO and greater security for us all.” Link was copied to clipboard

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