NATO chief says alliance shifting to implementation phase ahead of Ankara summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Thursday that the alliance is moving into an implementation phase ahead of next month’s summit in Ankara, citing rising defense spending, expanded military production, and continued support for Ukraine. “This is the last big meeting that we will have before the Ankara summit, and the Ankara summit will be all about implementation,” Rutte told defense ministers in Brussels. He described the gathering as the final major ministerial meeting before the summit, adding that “NATO 3.0 is really happening”—a reference to “a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.”

Defense spending and production

Rutte said allies are significantly increasing military spending, with Europe and Canada expected to spend more than $90 billion extra on defense in 2025 compared with the previous year—nearly a 20% increase. He stressed the need to expand defense production on both sides of the Atlantic. “We need to produce more, both in the US and in Europe, to keep ourselves safe,” he said. He warned that China, Russia, and others are ramping up their own defense industrial output, and urged NATO to keep pace.

Support for Ukraine and Iran deal

Rutte said support for Ukraine would remain a central topic at both the Brussels meeting and the Ankara summit. “We need to keep Ukraine strong, strong in the fight,” he said. He announced that President Zelenskyy would participate in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting later Thursday. He also welcomed the recent US-Iran agreement, describing it as “a good deal” that degraded Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. He highlighted the importance of restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that G7 countries are discussing ways to support maritime security in the area.