08.07.2026 12:30
On the second day of the 36th NATO Leaders Summit held in Ankara, heads of state and government gathered at Beştepe for the Leaders Meeting. President Erdoğan stated in his opening speech, "We are increasing defense spending. Restrictions on defense must be lifted." The summit will address defense spending, defense investments, the NATO 3.0 vision, and support for Ukraine.
The critical day has arrived at the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, which began on July 7 with side events and ministerial working dinners. On the second day of the summit, heads of state and government gathered at Beştepe in the Presidential Complex for the Leaders' Meeting. In the critical sessions drawing the world's attention, decisions are expected to shape NATO's future security policies.
ERDOĞAN: OUR DEFENSE EXPENDITURES ARE INCREASING
President Erdoğan stated in his opening speech at the summit: "Mr. Secretary General and heads of state, as Turkey, we have taken measures to increase our defense expenditure ratio to 3.5 percent before 2030. We have already reached the 1.5 percent target. Our country's real success lies in the breakthrough in the defense industry. Our defense expenditures are increasing; we have made a breakthrough and succeeded in defense."
TRUMP'S STATEMENTS REMAIN ON THE AGENDA
The statements made on the first day by US President Donald Trump, who stated that he attended the summit due to his friendship with President Erdoğan, were among the most notable topics of the meetings. While Trump raised the Greenland issue again during his meeting with President Erdoğan, he said he did not receive the expected support from some European countries during the attacks on Iran. The US President also reiterated his remarks about potentially withdrawing all American soldiers from Europe.
In NATO circles, it is noted that Trump's unpredictable attitude has been taken into account since before the summit. A senior diplomat from a leading NATO country, speaking before the summit, assessed: "Above all, the summit must be completed without incident and a happy family picture must be drawn."
DEFENSE EXPENDITURES ON THE TABLE
Following US President Donald Trump's second term in office, defense expenditures have become NATO's most important agenda item. At the 2025 The Hague Summit, it was decided to increase member countries' defense expenditures to 5 percent of gross domestic product.
At the leaders' meeting in Ankara, progress towards this target will be evaluated, and how commitments will be reflected on the ground will be discussed. While Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have already exceeded the set target, Turkey's defense expenditure as a share of national income has risen from 2.33 percent to 3.8 percent.
DEFENSE INVESTMENTS TO BE DISCUSSED
Another important topic on the leaders' agenda will be defense industry investments. Increasing production capacity, strengthening infrastructure, developing innovative technologies, and establishing joint procurement mechanisms are among NATO's priorities. The multi-billion-dollar investment decisions announced at the NATO Defense Forum held on the first day of the summit are considered an indication that defense expenditures are beginning to translate into concrete projects.
Over the past 10 years, NATO's European members and Canada have spent a total of $1.2 trillion on defense. The defense expenditures of these countries in 2025 alone have increased by approximately 20 percent, reaching an additional $139 billion. Moving forward, NATO aims to transform its members' economic power into military capacity. To achieve this, plans include harmonizing different national approaches, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and highlighting innovative solutions.
NATO 3.0 VISION ON THE AGENDA
The US's clear declaration that it will no longer single-handedly undertake Europe's security as in the past has brought the NATO 3.0 concept to the agenda. In the new era, European allies are expected to take on more responsibility, particularly playing a more active role in conventional defense. In nuclear deterrence, the US is expected to maintain its leading role.
The Ankara Summit is seen as a platform laying the foundations for a stronger Europe vision within NATO. NATO officials define NATO 3.0 as a new structure where Europe takes on more responsibility, defense expenditures are balanced, and the US maintains a strong commitment to the alliance.
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE TO BE ADDRESSED
Another important topic the leaders will address is support for Ukraine. The summit is expected to send the message that support for Ukraine will continue as long as necessary. NATO also aims to leverage Ukraine's experiences on the battlefield, particularly regarding unmanned aerial vehicles and defense technologies developed against them. No change is foreseen in the current policy regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. No new steps towards membership are expected in the short term.
EYES ON THE FINAL DECLARATION
The joint declaration to be issued at the end of the summit is planned to be brief, as was the case at The Hague Summit. The declaration will once again emphasize commitment to the principle of collective defense under Article 5 of NATO's founding document, the Washington Treaty. The text will also note that European countries and Canada have fulfilled their commitments made at The Hague Summit to increase defense expenditures.
The declaration regarding the NATO 3.0 vision, which symbolizes task-sharing within the alliance, is expected to include the following statements: "We are building the future: A stronger Europe in a stronger NATO. European allies and Canada, working together with the US, are taking greater responsibility for the defense of the Alliance."
The declaration will also emphasize that Russia poses a long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. The expression "terrorism remains a persistent threat to NATO," a sensitive issue for Turkey, is also expected to be included in the declaration.
The issue of Iran, which has recently caused tension between the US and some European countries, will also be included in the declaration. The text is anticipated to include the phrases: "Allies reiterate that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and call on Iran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz." The declaration is also expected to include a commitment of military support for Ukraine totaling 70 billion euros for 2026 and 2027.