NATO Secretary-General Prepares for Summit as U.S. Seeks Loyalty Pledge

The NATO secretary-general has spent nearly two years working to keep the United States committed to the alliance ahead of this week's summit in Turkey. Initial concerns centered on defense spending levels. Last year, allies agreed to match U.S. spending targets measured as a share of gross domestic product.

Attention has now turned to converting spending commitments into actual forces and equipment. European members have expressed concern over a possible Russian attack. A White House meeting last month featured a presentation showing $1.2 trillion in European and Canadian defense outlays since 2017. The U.S. side indicated that spending figures alone do not address its concerns.

The secretary-general has used charts and data to highlight European purchases of U.S. military equipment and the use of European bases for U.S. operations. Officials noted that up to 5,000 U.S. aircraft operated from European facilities before an April ceasefire.

The Pentagon recently announced reductions in the number of troops, ships, aircraft, and drones it would commit to defend an ally under attack. A study released Thursday documented increased Russian drone activity near European military sites. The upcoming summit will be hosted by Turkey.

Previous gatherings have produced spending pledges and public statements of unity, though the alliance has faced questions about the strength of its collective defense commitments.