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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,...
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. 06 July 2026 4 MIN READ Good afternoon, and welcome to the Presidential complex here in Ankara, in Türkiye, for the 2026 NATO Summit. First of all, let me thank President Erdogan and his team for hosting us at this fantastic venue. I am truly impressed, not least by the hospitality extended to us by our Turkish hosts. We are meeting here in Ankara one year after NATO leaders gathered for our Summit in The Hague, where Allies made historic commitments. They agreed on the urgency of making our Alliance stronger, because of the dangerous world we face. They committed to invest 5% of GDP in defence by 2035. And now, just one year later, we already see transformational progress. Here in Ankara, I expect nations to present clear, concrete and credible plans to reach that 5% goal. And the evidence we see so far is impressive. Just one year into a 10-year project, we see that European Allies and Canada are already investing around 4% of their GDP in defence and security. This includes major increases to Allies’ investment in core defence, as well as their defence- and security-related investments. Last year, European Allies and Canada spent nearly 20% more on core defence than they had the year before. Looking at 2025 and 2026 combined, that’s 258 billion dollars in extra investment. And the trend continues. We will need more forces, more resources and a much stronger industrial base. After years of under investment, we are producing real capabilities. European Allies and Canada are now on a trajectory to equalise their defence spending with the United States. And not just that. They are taking on more leadership within NATO’s command and control structure. Stepping up on conventional defence – on efforts to bolster our deterrence and defence including along the entire eastern flank, in the Baltic region and the Arctic. And spearheading support to Ukraine. All of this is evidence of a real shift in mindset. A stronger Europe in a stronger NATO. The investment is there. And now we need to ensure that we’re translating our economic might into military capabilities. Putting the cash to work. From defence plans to drones, from money to missiles and interceptors. This means ensuring innovation is front and centre, overcoming fragmented national defence industries and cutting red tape. The NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, which we’ll host tomorrow, will be the platform where we showcase how we’re working with industry to deliver the capabilities that credible deterrence and defence demand. We will announce tens of billions in new contracts that will provide the crucial kit we need to deter and defend. And when our industries, from Arkansas to Ankara, combine their strengths and step up supply, the result is not only improved security. This will help grow our economies, spread innovation and support hundreds of thousands of jobs, on both sides of the Atlantic. So we are investing in our own security. Ensuring we have what we need to safeguard our societies today and tomorrow. Because the threats we face are real – including from Russia, which continues to wage war on Ukraine. Right now, Ukraine is changing the dynamics on the battlefield, thanks to the bravery, the dedication, and ingenuity of their armed forces. But they need our continued support, especially when it comes to air defence. Russia continues drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, with another horrific attack just last night. So as Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty, Allies and NATO partners must continue to ensure Ukraine gets what it needs. And let me be clear, all Allies need to pull their weight, so that our support to Ukraine continues to flow. Because Ukraine’s security is so closely linked with our own. So, that is the overview of our agenda for the Summit here in Ankara. We are delivering on the commitments made in The Hague to invest in our defence. We will ensure that we are rebalancing for the better – fairly sharing the responsibility for our shared security. We will turn cash into capabilities, joining forces with industry. And we will continue our robust support for Ukraine - reminding President Putin that we are firm in our commitment. Over the next two days, the 32 Allies, along with partners from Ukraine, the European Union, the Indo-Pacific, and the Gulf will gather to ensure that NATO continues to deliver. Together we represent nearly two-thirds of the world economy and we are coming together because we know that cooperation is key. We are stronger together, in NATO, with partners, to ensure the freedom and security we all hold dear. Link was copied to clipboard GALLERIES Pre-Summit Press Conference by the NATO Secretary General Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-Summit Press Conference by the NATO Secretary General [Opening remarks] Pre-summit press conference by the NATO Secretary General View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. 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TITLE DATE DURATION Pre-summit press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-summit press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-summit press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-summit press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Pre-summit press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara
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