A serious dispute has erupted within NATO, which could lead to a review of the Alliance's working format. Leaders of member countries are seriously discussing the possibility of canceling the summit in 2027. The main reason is the desire not to exacerbate relations with US President Donald Trump, whose stance towards the organization remains extremely tough.
The Albania Dilemma and Future Uncertainty
The discussion intensified this week in Ankara, where heads of state gathered for another summit. Initially, it was planned that the next major meeting would take place in Albania. However, this issue has now become the subject of sharp debates. High-ranking NATO military official Giuseppe Cavo Dragone confirmed in an interview with Bloomberg TV that a decision has not yet been made.
"The summit will take place in Albania, but whether it will take place next year or the year after is a question currently under discussion," Dragone stated. Such uncertainty indicates how complex the atmosphere within the Alliance has become.
Trump and His Influence on the Agenda
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara solely thanks to warm personal relations with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At the summit, Trump used his platform to once again question the significance of NATO and humiliate his allies.
It is precisely these constant outbursts that have become the catalyst for the idea of postponing the meeting in Albania. The logic is simple: deprive Trump of a new reason to criticize partners and avoid public conflicts that could split the Alliance.
Mark Rutte's Attempts to Maintain the Status Quo
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte advocates for maintaining the annual summit format. He is convinced that this is necessary to keep the Alliance at the center of the global agenda. Rutte tried to convince Trump of the organization's usefulness, telling him about the significant increase in defense spending by allies.
However, it is currently unclear whether this strategy is working. The final statement of the summit in Ankara, which leaders are to approve on Wednesday, will not contain a single mention of the upcoming summit. This silence speaks for itself.
Growth in Military Budgets and New Financial Mechanisms
Against the backdrop of diplomatic turmoil, NATO countries are demonstrating a willingness to invest resources in defense. On the eve of the summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced an increase in allies' defense spending by $258 billion.
Germany's position attracted particular attention. Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared his intention to double the military budget and reach a figure of 5% of GDP by 2029. Merz called this Germany's greatest efforts to strengthen defense capabilities in its entire history.
Furthermore, during the meeting in Ankara, Canada announced the launch of a new defense financing mechanism. Ukraine will join this initiative along with eight other countries. The new bank plans to attract up to $134 billion in cheap loans for allies' defense projects.
