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As NATO leaders gather in Ankara for a two-day summit on July 7-8, US officials are uncertain whether the meeting will "go smoothly," according to reports citing unnamed sources. The summit comes amid a tense atmosphere and President Donald Trump's frustration with allies' behavior, with European leaders hoping to exit the meeting "without a major explosion," as reported by CNN, according to TASS.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the summit highlights different aspects of the event. The South China Morning Post frames the gathering as expected to be "low-key" but with a major caveat: whether the "get-along" Trump or the "raging" Trump will appear. The report notes that early indications suggested the latter, quoting Trump's Thursday social media post: "The United States spends more money on Nato than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing. Ridiculous!"

TASS, citing CNN, focuses on the uncertainty among US officials and the hope among European leaders to avoid a major confrontation. The same report notes Trump's late June statement that he planned to attend the summit primarily out of respect for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Except for the fact that it was being held in Turkey by President Erdogan, I don't think I would have gone to it," Trump said.

Another TASS report, also citing CNN, emphasizes that security in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be on the summit's agenda, with a US official saying, "I certainly believe that the Strait of Hormuz and the protection of the maritime traffic going through there is going to be a subject that comes up."

Key Claims

  • Uncertainty about summit's success: US officials are reportedly unsure whether the NATO summit in Ankara will go smoothly, according to a CNN report cited by TASS.
  • European hopes to avoid conflict: European leaders hope to exit the Ankara meeting without a major explosion, planning new defense pledges to allay Trump's anger, as reported by CNN via TASS.
  • Trump's attendance out of respect for Erdogan: Trump said in late June he planned to attend the summit out of respect for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding, "Except for the fact that it was being held in Turkey by President Erdogan, I don't think I would have gone to it."
  • US criticism of European allies: Washington has repeatedly criticized European NATO allies over their stance during the US-Israeli war against Iran, as reported by TASS.
  • Trump's criticism of NATO spending: Trump stated, "The United States spends more money on Nato than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing," as quoted by the South China Morning Post.
  • Hormuz Strait security on agenda: Security in the Strait of Hormuz will be on the agenda at the summit, according to a US official cited by CNN via TASS.
  • Allies' limited maritime capabilities: A US official said a number of NATO allies have signaled willingness to contribute to maritime security efforts, but many "don't have the necessary ships or assets to contribute to a meaningful maritime effort," as reported by TASS.
  • Focus on defense spending and readiness: The Trump administration's main message to allies remains centered on increasing defense spending and improving military readiness, according to a US official cited by TASS.
  • NATO chief on Hormuz reopening: A NATO chief says 22 countries are working to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Perspectives

  • US administration: Washington emphasizes the need for allies to increase defense spending and improve military readiness, and has criticized European allies over their stance during the US-Israeli war against Iran. US officials also express interest in discussing security in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • European allies: European leaders are reportedly nervous about Trump's behavior and hope to avoid a major confrontation at the summit by making new defense pledges, according to CNN via TASS. Experts quoted by the South China Morning Post describe European views of Trump as "combustible" and "quite nervous."
  • President Trump: Trump has expressed frustration with NATO, questioning its purpose and criticizing allies' spending, while also indicating a willingness to attend the summit out of respect for Erdogan.