politics
Trump Arrives in Ankara for NATO Summit, Announces End to Turkey Sanctions
Donald Trump reached Turkey on July 7 for the two-day meeting of all 32 NATO members. He was greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and announced the removal of U.S. sanctions on Turkey.
Jul 7, 5:32 PM·1m read4 sources
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President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey, early on July 7, 2026, for the NATO summit scheduled to run through July 8. He was greeted at Etimesgut Air Base by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Leaders and diplomats from all 32 NATO member states are attending the meeting, according to a NATO press release.
The agenda covers artificial intelligence, the Russo-Ukrainian War, NATO spending, and Middle East peace. During an official meeting with Erdoğan, Trump announced that the United States would remove sanctions on Turkey, Fox News reported. White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated that Trump has made clear his disappointment with NATO allies and that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense.
U.S. defense spending in 2025 was estimated at $980 billion, compared with $92.8 billion for the United Kingdom and $68.9 billion for France, according to Atlantic Council figures cited in reporting. Smaller spenders included Montenegro at $188 million, North Macedonia at $402 million, and Albania at $570 million.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on June 17 that other allies have increased contributions as the United States adjusted its pledges. Accounts differ on whether the United States has removed aircraft, drones, and ships valued at $40–50 billion from NATO crisis-response allocations.
