NATO chief says Ankara summit to focus on delivery

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday said the upcoming leaders' summit in Ankara will concentrate on delivering the commitments agreed upon at last year's Hague Summit, with discussions set to address defense investment targets and continued backing for Ukraine's war effort.

Focus on implementation

In a video posted on the social media platform X, Rutte emphasized that the meeting would center on follow-through rather than new initiatives. "The summit will focus very much on delivery. We did a lot in The Hague last year, but now we have to deliver on The Hague," he said, referring to the 2024 summit where allies agreed to ambitious defense spending benchmarks.

The NATO chief noted that leaders would examine credible spending plans designed to ensure member states remain on course to meet the 5% defense investment target. The push for increased military expenditure comes as the alliance seeks to bolster its deterrence capabilities amid ongoing security challenges on the continent.

Support for Ukraine

Rutte also highlighted positive developments in defense industrial production and reaffirmed the alliance's commitment to Kyiv. He cited increased output as a positive development, adding that "also when it comes to Ukraine, making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay as strong as possible in the fight and, of course, to be in the best possible position when peace negotiations start." The Ankara gathering follows months of preparation after the Hague Summit concluded in June 2024.