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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, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 08 July 2026 4 MIN READ Good afternoon, we have just concluded a tremendously successful NATO Summit here in Ankara. There was a great sense of unity. Allies warmly welcomed President Trump's leadership that is transforming this Alliance and making it stronger. The message from this Summit is simple, NATO delivers. One year ago in The Hague, Allies took historic decisions to strengthen our Alliance. Here in Ankara, excellently hosted by President Erdoğan, we have demonstrated that those commitments are now being put into practice. Across the Alliance, defence investment continues to rise. New capabilities are being delivered, industry is expanding production, and European Allies and Canada are assuming greater responsibility for our shared security. Together, these are the foundations for a stronger, a fairer and a more capable NATO. Allies reviewed the significant progress already made towards investing 5% of GDP in defence by 2035, already measuring 4% just one year into a 10-year project. So the momentum is clear. Allies continue to increase both core defence spending and broader investments that strengthen our security. They are generating the capabilities our defence plans require and stepping up the contribution to NATO's collective deterrence and defence. This is not simply about spending more, it is about ensuring that our armed forces have what they need to keep our one billion people safe in a more dangerous world. Our focus has now shifted decisively from setting targets to delivering results. That means accelerating production, breaking down barriers, boosting resilience, investing in innovation and working with partners to maximise cooperation. The NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum demonstrated the determination of governments and industry to work together with greater speed and ambition. And the numbers are staggering, including over 50 billion dollars in new procurement deals in just one day. We also launched a new major initiative, NATO's Drone Edge, which will see 40 billion dollars invested by Allies in uncrewed systems over the next five years, and big deals with US and European industry, including Triton from Northrop Grumman, and our new AWACS from Saab. These new investments and industrial commitments announced here will help strengthen our collective defence, while supporting innovation, economic growth and, of course, skilled jobs across the whole of the Alliance. This work must continue. And that is why I am happy to announce that Allies are taking a historic step to enhance NATO's fuel supply chain to ensure our forces have the energy supplies they need for warfighting readiness. While Allies continue to finalise the details, we know that this 27-billion-euro investment will modernise our existing fuel storage and distribution infrastructure and support new facilities, including pipelines, towards the eastern part of the Alliance. We are also ensuring that we are using technology to our advantage, including through the adoption of powerful AI models and the development of an interoperable transatlantic warfighting cloud. So, here again, credible deterrence and defence depends on what we deliver, and we are delivering. Allies also reaffirmed NATO's unwavering support for Ukraine. As Russia continues its war, we will continue to ensure Ukraine gets what it needs. Allies pledged to provide at least 70 billion euros in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine this year and again next year as we continue to press for peace. As Ukraine shifts the dynamics on the battlefield, our support must continue. This Summit has shown that the Alliance is stronger than ever, an Alliance that is united and ready to defend every inch of our territory. Here in Ankara, Allies reaffirmed their ironclad commitment to the collective defence under Article 5, that an attack on one is an attack on all, and we will stand together. Our unity, solidarity and collective strength remain the foundation of peace, security, and prosperity. Leaders also agreed on the importance of modernising our Alliance and building for the future. That means a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO, with European Allies and Canada working with the United States, taking on greater responsibility for the defence of the Alliance, transformative investment in defence, major deals for industry on both sides of the Atlantic. We are rebalancing our security for the better, that is what NATO 3.0 is all about. An Alliance that continues to adapt. An alliance that continues to deliver to keep one billion people safe. Thank you. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Let's start over here in the fourth row, second seat. Maya Raydan, TRT Arabic I have two questions, if you allow me. First, President Trump again criticised the NATO while he was standing beside you. We've heard a lot of promises and determination, that's very good, but why there isn't a credible plan B? If he went through his threats to decrease his forces in the region? Is that because there isn't, or the NATO cannot function without the US? This is my first question. My second question regarding Iran, the final declaration said that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. If the US-Tehran negotiations fail, what is the NATO strategy to keep this objective? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Well, on your first question, I can only tell you that what I saw in the room with 32 leaders sitting together, was a huge sense of unity. I've not seen this in recent history. And this is what I always believe NATO is all about, that yes, you will have your forceful debates. Sometimes people will argue at the top of their lungs, their points of view, and others will answer. And I'm never, I'm never worried about that, because in the end we are an Alliance of democracies. It makes us stronger. It not only makes us stronger, in the end, we also come together. Today is evidence of that. And I always know that President Trump and US is completely committed to NATO. But there is this big irritant, the irritant that the Europeans were not paying the same as the Americans were paying, and this is a frustration on the US part since Eisenhower. And this American President has been able to solve this. And not only get the Europeans to commit to spend the same as the US, but also to deliver on that commitment. Already 4% on a 10-year trajectory to reach the 5%, 4% already reached. Of course, also, because we have the Russian threat, the war in Ukraine, etcetera etcetera. But this is a huge encouragement done by the American President to get us to do this. So, for all those reasons, I sense this sense of unity, and that is what makes this Alliance so strong. It was, it was really very special to be in that room to sense that situation. We all felt it, that this Alliance is more together than ever. I think, particularly because we allow ourselves to sometimes disagree and then come together. On your second question, it's absolutely clear it is a NATO policy that, and in point of view of all 32 Allies, that Iran should never get its hands on a nuclear capability. Obviously, Iran is outside NATO territory, that doesn't mean that NATO could never get involved. But as I said before, if helpful, NATO is always willing to play a role. But first, now let's see what happens over the coming days and weeks. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, let's come up here, about halfway up on the right. I think I see Reuters. Lili Bayer, Reuters Thank you very much for the question. Secretary General, we've heard President Trump talk a lot about the need to boost spending on defence. And you yourself, you've emphasised that European Allies and Canada are stepping up, but NATO released new data yesterday, and what it showed is that there's actually quite a big spread, in terms of what Allies are spending as a percentage of GDP. Some are spending a lot, but there are actually quite a few Allies that are still around 2%, and don't have clear plans to make it to 3.5% on core defence. So, what is your message to those Allies, and do you foresee those Allies that are still around 2% moving up soon? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Well, indeed, as you already implied to your question, and I agree with that, I agree that 250 billion dollars spent more in two years, Canada, Europe is massive. And there is a max to what you can spend more in one or two years, because you still have to recruit the men and women in a uniform, you have to make sure that the defence industrial base produces the output. And, of course, we are also ramping up the defence industrial production, but also there you need a couple of years to really get it going. Yes, there is always a certain spread between one country and the other. On the other hand, when you look at four big economies, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Canada, they were far from 2% a year ago. They all committed to 2%. And I always sense that if you have to make such a jump from 1.3, 1.4% to 2%, that means in the case of some of these countries 5 to 10 billion dollars extra spent in one year, that you need to give yourself a little bit of time to indeed spend the money. Again, the absorption capacity, but then at the national level. But all these countries commit to move forward and to deliver on The Hague target. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Alright, let's come to the front row here. Can I get a mic down in the centre? You can come down past the barrier, it's easier. The man here. Yes, thanks. Jon Decker, Gray Television Thank you, Allison. Thank you, Mr. Secretary General. You mentioned that commitment from NATO. I'm John Decker from Gray Television. You mentioned that commitment from NATO for Ukraine, 80 billion US dollars this year, a follow-up of at least that amount in 2027. What will it take, in your view, beyond those resources to bring Mr Putin to the negotiating table? That's my first question. And my second question, we're here in Türkiye. What's come up during the President's time here is that S400 missile system that Türkiye possesses. Are you comfortable with that, that Russian missile system in the hands of a NATO Ally? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte On the second question, this is primarily a bilateral issue between Türkiye and the United States. And this has been discussed, as far as I understand, also in the bilateral discussions yesterday, or at least the two countries are working on it. So, let me not comment. So, your first question was on? On Putin, yes. I said this, I gave that answer on Monday. I stopped a long time ago to try to interpret what is going on in the head of Vladimir Putin. What I do know is that Putin is in difficulty. The economy is doing badly. He is losing around 30,000 of his own people a month, which is terrible news for those families and people. It means he is willing to sacrifice up to 30, sometimes even 35,000 of his own primarily men on the battlefield. We see Ukraine striking deep into Russia when it comes to the energy infrastructure, the defence infrastructure, and the front line. He was making some gains earlier this year, and it is now more or less of a stalemate. So, he's not doing well. There is this firm commitment now by the 32 to continue the support for Ukraine. I think that is absolutely relevant and very important. And I know that President Trump and his team, with help from everyone who is available is trying to end this terrible war. He's meeting now as we speak with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss what can be done more. And wherever we can be helpful, we will be helpful as NATO. But let me not try to predict what's going on in the mind of the Russian President. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Alright, let's come up here. Financial Times, please. Henry Foy, Financial Times Secretary General how concerned are you that President Trump has brought back his desire to control Greenland? In January, this sparked a huge crisis inside the Alliance, forced you to get involved personally, and almost started a trade war with the EU. Further, you told Trump this morning that you personally will make sure that an agreement on Greenland is implemented. Is that a promise you're allowed to make? Is that not the sovereign right of the Danish and Greenlandic people? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte What the President and I agreed in Davos in January is first of all for, when it comes to the defence of the Arctic, he absolutely was right. Because there is a huge risk that Russia and China will gain more and more access to the Arctic. And the discussion we had, and the deal we made, is for NATO, particularly the seven countries bordering on the Arctic, including, of course, the US, through NORTHCOM and NORAD. So that means Canada with NORAD, and then, of course, the five European Allies, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway, working together, backed up by all the other Allies, making sure that the Arctic stays safe. This is Arctic Sentry, launched by the Supreme Allied Commander early February. And then, secondly, and here you're right, I'm not allowed to discuss or make any commitments on this second part. The second part is about trilateral talks between the US, Greenland and Denmark, led by the Foreign Ministers of the United States, Greenland, and Denmark. Basically to make sure that whatever investments, when it comes to the Golden Dome or deployment of troops on Greenland, will be made in the future, that if Greenland would change its constitutional position within the Kingdom of Denmark, that these commitments, these deals, are still valid. And that's why also Greenland is involved in those talks. I'm not involved in those talks. So, your question, are you allowed, etcetera, on the second part, this is up to the three parties. These talks are ongoing. When it comes to the first of course, it is my role to work with our military leaders to make sure that we implement this Arctic Sentry, and that's exactly what we are doing. Andrea Palaciano, Bloomberg News Will there be a Summit next year in Albania? If not, when? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte The next Summit will indeed be in Albania. That was the decision in The Hague. So, the Summit now in Ankara, and then the next Summit in Albania. So, from now on, of course, the next Summit is not in Ankara, because we are in Ankara now, so the next Summit is in Albania, and, of course, we still have to decide on the exact timing. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, and then let's come down here in the second row, right here. Question Given all the challenges you laid out of defence production, increasing spending, you had kind words to say, or supportive words to say, about the President's strikes on Iran last night. If that conflict enlarges again, are you concerned at all that that could divert money, munitions, resources, attention from stopping the war in Ukraine? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte No, because the United States is so strong and powerful, it can do both. Obviously, we still have to produce more. That's anyway a goal we have, both in the US and in Europe and in Canada. But when it comes to Iran, degrading the nuclear capability, degrading the inter-ballistic missile capability of Iran, crucial for the Middle East, crucial for Europe, crucial for the whole world. And then, of course, the American President deciding, and I think he was totally right last night, given the attacks on ships, which happened over the last 24 hours, to do these strikes, obviously is completely the right thing to do, because this was Iran breaking the deal. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Alright. And then right here in the centre, yes. Question Secretary General, President Trump was quite unhappy how the European countries had a lack of contribution to the military operations against Iran. If the ceasefire ends completely and the war is back on, do you support European countries to contribute more into this conflict? And if Donald Trump makes a statement like that to call them for aid, do you support his call? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Yeah, obviously this is not so much NATO, this is individual European Allies having bilateral agreements with the United States, which have been negotiated over the years, when it comes, for example, to the use of bases, etcetera. And I know when it comes to this, that the United States is disappointed. And what I pointed out is that this is about individual cases, isolated cases. When you look at Europe as a whole, massively the Europeans have done what they bilaterally agreed with the United States when it comes to these agreements. and this led, in aggregate, as I mentioned on Monday, up to 5,000 sorties from European bases in the context of Epic Fury. And I would say Epic Fury would have been very difficult to do without Europe being a platform of power projection for the United States. Of course, this is one of the reasons why the United States is invested in its Allies in Europe to keep itself safe, from the nuclear submarines from Russia not ending up at the shores of the United States, but also, for example, for this reason, to make sure that they can make use of these bases, and massively that has been done. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Alright, we're going to get challenging for the mic carriers, because I've got several questions that are towards the centre. So, first, there's a man in the blue shirt. Question, Al Jazeera Thanks for the opportunity. My question is, President Trump was mentioning today that “the peace deal is over for me, for with Iran,” and just a couple of minutes ago he said “we will hit them hard tonight.” So what is the NATO standing in this sense, especially there are certain countries like Spain is not really collaborative with NATO Ally. Will NATO really fully support these attacks or involve especially when the topic comes the Strait of Hormuz? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte First political, so the political position of NATO is clear. Over the years, always been clear that Iran should not have a nuclear capability, should not have an inter-ballistic missile capability. So, there's no doubt about that. That's the political side. Then, the practical side, NATO itself is not involved. This is outside NATO territory, but as I just mentioned with your colleague, there are, of course, these bilateral agreements the United States has negotiated over the years with individual Allies in Europe. And again, when you look at the situation between the end of February and mid April till the ceasefire started up to 5,000 sorties from European bases. I think this is evidence that European Allies have delivered. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, all right. Towards the centre, in the eighth row, do we have a mic moving? Is she already there? Deborah Haynes, Sky news Thank you. You know Donald Trump well. Can you just give a sense from your perspective? Do you think that he is more committed and more enthusiastic about NATO and NATO membership now than he was a year ago, given all the Allies have done in terms of ramping up defence spending? Or are you seeing that these outbursts against the UK and others over failing to join the fight against Iran, his desire for Greenland, that actually he is as unhappy as ever before with NATO, maybe even more so? And can I just have a clarification from what you said earlier about Iran, are you saying that that NATO actually would support the US militarily in terms of its operation in Iran? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte What I said is that NATO, Iran is outside NATO territory. NATO has a political position. You can also see that in the Summit declaration that Iran should not get a nuclear capability, that the Strait of Hormuz should open up. And NATO has always taken the position that when it comes to the inter-ballistic missile capability, Iran should not get its hands on it. But this is outside NATO territory, so this is individual Allies navigating this with, with the United States. On your first question, I mean, I always felt that families where sometimes you have heart-to-hearts and sometimes you fight each other a bit are much stronger than families where you have “oh, let's not disagree, and let's keep things nice in unity,” that's a bit fake, I always felt. I love it when sometimes between friends you can fight each other, because you can, it makes you stronger. And President Trump is not a person which keeps his views to himself. So, on two issues, he was very clear. One is that Europe had to step up. This had to do with NATO. He was committed to NATO. He is committed to NATO, but he said, "Hey, Mark, it's not a fair deal. How can it be that that you have 600 million people living in Europe, the richest part of the world, big economies like Germany and the Netherlands and Italy and France and all the other nations together, defending, of course, including with US against 140 million Russians, and then you are overly dependent on the United States. That's not fair.” And he's right, and that's what he settled in The Hague. I think that was his leadership, extremely important, so committed to NATO, but also expecting us all to do more. And when it comes to Iran, clearly, he was disappointed. What I pointed out again is this is about isolated cases, massively Europeans have done what you the United States bilaterally negotiated with the European countries. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, this man here, yes please. Rasmus Svaneborg, Ritzaus Bureau Denmark Mark, you sit next to Donald Trump in moments where he talks about conquering Greenland, talks about lashing out at Allies like Spain, starting trade wars, things that it does not seem like the old Mark Rutte would approve of. Does this have any effect on your self-respect when you sit next to him like that and say nothing? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte You know, what I always do is acknowledge when praise is due, and I think we should praise Donald Trump for the fact that NATO is so much stronger. Of course, it has to do with the Russian threat, it has to do with the war in Ukraine. But it very much also has to do with President Trump delivering now what, since Eisenhower, the United States tried to achieve, equalising spending between the US and Europe. And it makes Europe stronger, it makes Europe more relevant for the United States as a partner. So, that is the transformative character of this Summit, of what happened in The Hague, the implementation since The Hague, this Summit as a point in time where we take stock. And I think that is extremely important. And when it comes to Greenland, I already explained, we had a meeting in Davos, and I said I agree with you, when it comes to Russia, when it comes to China, gaining access to the High North, but let's do this together. We have NATO for this. Let's work together on this. This is exactly what we are doing. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, we have very little time, and still lots and lots of questions. So, the woman who's standing here. Emel Akan, Epoch Times Thank you very much. Thank you, Secretary General, Emel Akan from the Epoch Times, New York-based media outlet. I have a question on Russia. Russia is facing energy crisis, fuel shortages, entire country is facing gasoline shortages. How do you see this impacting the war in Ukraine? And do you ask, or do you expect President Trump to impose more sanctions on Russia? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Well, clearly Ukraine is very successful in hitting the energy infrastructure in Russia. They in Omsk, yesterday, they claimed, and I think the Russians almost, well, I have this from the, from you, from media. So, I didn't get this confirmed from other sources, but I guess you reported this correctly. Some of you did, at least yesterday. That they have been successful in striking deep into Russia, which was one of the biggest refinery plants in Russia. And this is part of a pattern over the last two months where the Ukrainians are more and more successful in hitting the vital energy infrastructure in Russia. This is having an impact on people driving cars, ending up at the gasoline stations. There was news yesterday that they had to put out mobile toilets, because people had to wait all night for gasoline. I can assure you one thing, as a politician in the 16 th and 17 th century you had to make sure there was enough bread. In the 21 st century you have to make sure there is enough gasoline. Your voters don't like it if they cannot fill up their cars. And, of course, this is having an impact on the Russian economy. At the same time, you have a Russian President which is willing to sacrifice up to 35,000 of his own young men in this crazy war against Ukraine, totally unprovoked. So again, to any Russian young men listening, if you contemplate joining the war effort, think again. You might be one of those 30 to 35,000 this month, next month, the months after, because your President somehow doesn’t care. He is willing to sacrifice you. So, this is what is happening. And I know that the US and the European Union sanctions is not NATO, but the EU and European countries, and the US and the United Kingdom are constantly coordinating when it comes to sanctions, and to see what can be done. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, I think we have two more questions. So, the man in the orange tie here in the sixth row. Johannes Perterer , Austrian National Television and Radio ORF I am just curious about what NATO, at the end of the day, is really about. We heard a lot about defence spending, and about following interests, and about hard power politics. Let's say I was wondering also, because we find ourselves in an autocracy where journalists are being arrested, what values does NATO represent, if any, and are those values shared by all 32 members? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte NATO is a defensive Alliance, defending one billion people living in NATO territory. That is the United States, that is Canada and 30 countries in Europe. We are defensive. We will never attack another country, never. We are a defensive Alliance. But we will make absolutely sure that if anyone else does not wish us well and tries to attack us, that they know that our reaction will be very forceful, that we can defend ourselves, etcetera etcetera. And that is for a reason. First of all, because I strongly believe in the 21 st century that you should not attack another country like the Russians have done with Ukraine. It is kind of crazy to do that. It is a playbook of the 19 th century, or the 20 th century. We don't do this in grown-up democracies anymore in the 21 st century. So that's one, but also because there are values at stake, democracy. And democracy, as I said on Monday, is not only free vote, democracy is also you, the free media. That you can report, that you can try to find out what happened behind the scenes. Politicians not always liking what you find, but if it is fair, hey, it is your role and your job to do that. It is part of democracy. And a third pillar of democracy is that your societies have the ability to make their views known, and they do this sometimes through demonstrations, and that always should be possible, and that means that journalists should always be able, in person, to participate in big news events. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart Okay, final question, that's all we have time for. We're going to go to the fifth row on the aisle here. Sachiyo Sugita, NHK Japan Thank you. I'd like to ask about the IP4. Do you think it was important to have at least all representatives of all IP4 countries present in Ankara, considering the challenges NATO faces from China? And this is the second year not having all the leaders present at the Summit, but do you already have any ideas on how to engage again at the leaders’ level with them? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Yes, well, the President of the Republic of Korea was here, so I had the opportunity to get to know him better. He and the First Lady participated in a dinner last night. And we had very senior representatives at the level of Defence Ministers and/or Foreign Ministers of New Zealand, Australia and Japan. So, I myself have my engagement with the leaders of these nations, so, it is not necessary that always all the leaders are here. I was very happy to meet the Korean President, because he is relatively new. We spoke a couple of times on the phone. This gives the opportunity to get to know each other better. And I travelled myself last year to Japan. And I might do other trips to the IP4 countries in the future, because this is an important relationship. And we said yesterday it is important, because this is about the acknowledgement that the two theatres, the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic, are more and more interconnected. You cannot separate the two. That does not mean that you want to extend Article 5 to the Indo-Pacific, that's not the goal. The goal is to work as much together on defence industry, on innovation, on standards, also exchanging views on defence spending. How to do that in the best way. We have now experienced in NATO, not to prescribe in detail how many tanks or how many fighter jets, but what should be the battlefield outcomes we want to achieve by each nation's contribution to the collective defence. So, this was a very useful discussion. I think we all felt that. Question Thank you so much for this opportunity. Anti-Türkiye rhetoric continues to flow from Greece, which persists in its illegal militarisation activities in the Aegean. Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated my country still faces an open treat of war from Türkiye. How are these statements by Greece received between the Alliance? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Yes, I've said before, when it came to other issues, sometimes between Allies, and it can always happen. We have Alliance with 32 nations, so there might be bilateral discussions, and then obviously unavoidably I will get the question, what is my view on this, but of course, I am not a commentator. I am there to maintain the unity, at least trying to do my best to maintain the unity of the Alliance. And that means that when there are discussions or sometimes irritants between Allies, that I do not comment in public so that I can be behind the scenes, if necessary, if so, wanted by any of the discussing countries, helpful. Thank you so much. It was really great to see you on Monday, to see you today, earlier today, you're amazing. See you next time. Link was copied to clipboard
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