NATO leaders have reconvened in Ankara for the second and final day of the US-led military bloc’s annual summit, with efforts to project unity overshadowed by persistent disagreements over defense spending, as well as the Russia-Ukraine and Iran conflicts.
The first day was dominated by US President Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of European allies for failing to shoulder a greater share of the military burden and for not backing Washington during its confrontation with Iran. Trump also renewed his demand for US control of Greenland, while NATO members unveiled new multibillion-dollar defense procurement agreements intended to strengthen the bloc’s military capabilities and answer longstanding calls for higher spending.
Ukraine remains high on the agenda as Vladimir Zelensky seeks additional military support from Western backers, while leaders attempt to keep the focus on the bloc’s long-term rearmament plans.
As NATO leaders depart Ankara, we’re wrapping up our live coverage from the second and final day of the summit.
Trump dominated the agenda with Ukraine arms pledges, escalating rhetoric on Iran, and renewed pressure on bloc allies over defense spending, as NATO members reaffirmed military commitments and aid for Kiev. Stay with RT for the latest news, analysis and reaction.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated readiness to host a new round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, saying Türkiye remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic settlement.
“We are ready to bring the sides together at the negotiating table once again,” Erdogan said, adding that there would be “no losing side” in a just and lasting peace.
Türkiye has repeatedly acted as a mediator between Moscow and Kiev, hosting the first direct talks in 2022 and several more rounds in Istanbul last year, including trilateral discussions involving the US. The negotiations produced major POW exchanges and other humanitarian agreements, but no decisive breakthrough.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it is ready to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means, as long as its root causes are addressed and the situation on the ground is taken into account. President Vladimir Putin said that Ankara’s role in facilitating talks would continue to be desirable in the future.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to NATO’s 5% spending target, while insisting Rome would decide the timing and pace of higher military outlays “in a sustainable way” based on national priorities. She also said she “regret[s] nothing” about her political approach despite recent tensions with Trump.
Relations between the two have cooled after Italy declined to directly back the US-Israeli war on Iran. Meloni also criticized Trump’s remarks about Pope Leo XIV after the US president described the American-born pontiff as “weak on crime” and “ungrateful.” On Tuesday, however, Trump called Meloni “a nice person.”
Trump has hailed what he described as major progress toward NATO’s 5% defense spending target, arguing that allies are increasingly buying American-made weapons.
The US president announced $3 billion in new defense investments with American companies, saying Lockheed Martin will establish a “world-class” Patriot missile sustainment facility in Europe.
Trump has said NATO leaders showered him with praise during the Ankara summit, saying they told him: “Sir, we love you.”
“These are grown people saying that. Isn’t that nice?” the US president said, adding: “Maybe they’re trying to get to me.”
Global energy markets came under pressure after Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire “over” and threatened further strikes on the Islamic Republic, fueling renewed concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.
Oil prices surged, with international benchmark Brent crude jumping more than 8% to $80.41 a barrel and US WTI rising nearly 8% to sit above $70 as of 16:08 GMT. Major stock indexes also fell as renewed geopolitical tensions rattled investors.
It’s official:In a sudden turn of events, Brent crude oil prices are back above $80/barrel. pic.twitter.com/rleaVxX0fo
Trump has said that he is likely to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism following his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Ankara.
The US president also said that there had been “a lot of progress” on “Syria helping with Hezbollah in Lebanon,” adding that Damascus “would do a very good job.”
Al-Sharaa, who once led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), rose to power in late 2024 following the fall of Bashar Assad’s government.
Trump’s threats of renewed military action against Iran have drawn a swift response.
Tehran condemned the US strikes as a breach of the ceasefire memorandum, saying that Washington’s actions had rendered key parts of the agreement “without effect.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump declared the fragile US-Iran ceasefire “over” after the US military conducted strikes on the Islamic Republic over alleged attacks on three tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has said he believes Israel intends to withdraw from southern Lebanon, citing recent talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I think they’re going to do it. I think they want to,” the US president told reporters in Ankara.
A reporter asked Rutte what values NATO stands for beyond military spending and deterrence.
Rutte described the US-led military bloc as a “defensive alliance,” claiming that it would “never attack another country,” while warning that any attack on its members would be met with a “very forceful” response.
Trump has said Washington will give Kiev a license to manufacture US Patriot air-defense missiles, rather than simply promise more deliveries.
“We’re going to give a license to you to make Patriots,” he told Zelensky. “This way you can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough.”
NATO members have pledged €70 billion ($80 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2026, with support set to remain at “at least the equivalent levels” in 2027.
The summit’s final declaration, however, makes no mention of Ukraine’s possible accession to the US-led military bloc.
Asked whether the US would consider imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine as a “security guarantee” in the event of “another Russian attack,” Trump said it remained an option.
“If it’s necessary, yeah,” the US president replied when pressed by a reporter during his meeting with Zelensky.
A reporter challenged NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte over his silence as Trump berated allies and renewed his push to acquire Greenland, asking whether it affected his “self-respect.”
Rutte deflected the question, instead hailing the US president for making NATO “much stronger” by increasing European defense spending and citing the usual ‘Russia threat’ narrative.
Trump has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Wednesday, after his meeting with Zelensky.
The US president said Putin “wants to end the war” and is seeking to bring it to a close “as soon as possible,” adding: “I talk to him a lot.”
The planned call follows a nearly 90-minute phone conversation between Trump and Putin on Saturday, during which the two leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, the Iran war, and future contacts between Moscow and Washington.
Trump has signaled that the US could carry out another strike on Iran later on Wednesday, saying Washington would “probably hit them hard again tonight.”
“I’ll give them a little warning … But we’ll see how it all works out,” the US president told reporters, adding that he was “not happy with them [Iran].”
Trump also suggested the US could “take over” Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s key oil export hub, claiming that was why he had ordered American forces not to target its oil infrastructure during Tuesday night’s strikes.
“I said, don’t touch the oil because maybe we’ll take over Kharg Island… There’s not a thing they can do about it,” he claimed, adding that the US “may hit it again tonight.”
Trump also claimed that “Iran is finished,” and that the US “could send our forces in tomorrow,” but added that he did not want to deploy ground troops.
A reporter asked Rutte what values NATO stands for beyond military spending and deterrence.
Rutte described the US-led military bloc as a “defensive alliance,” claiming that it would “never attack another country,” while warning that any attack on its members would be met with a “very forceful” response.
Trump has said he believes Israel intends to withdraw from southern Lebanon, citing recent talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I think they’re going to do it. I think they want to,” the US president told reporters in Ankara.
Trump’s threats of renewed military action against Iran have drawn a swift response.
Tehran condemned the US strikes as a breach of the ceasefire memorandum, saying that Washington’s actions had rendered key parts of the agreement “without effect.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump declared the fragile US-Iran ceasefire “over” after the US military conducted strikes on the Islamic Republic over alleged attacks on three tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has said that he is likely to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism following his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Ankara.
The US president also said that there had been “a lot of progress” on “Syria helping with Hezbollah in Lebanon,” adding that Damascus “would do a very good job.”
Al-Sharaa, who once led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), rose to power in late 2024 following the fall of Bashar Assad’s government.
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