Trump to attend NATO summit in Ankara on spending disputes

President Donald Trump will attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7 and 8, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed to lawmakers. The announcement comes amid significant tensions between the United States and its allies over defense spending and military support, setting the stage for what officials describe as a critical meeting for the alliance's future.

Rubio, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that Trump would use the summit to press for what he called "significant changes" within NATO. The secretary of state emphasized that the United States remains committed to the alliance but is deeply dissatisfied with current arrangements. A primary point of contention has been the refusal of some NATO members to allow U.S. forces to use their military bases and airspace during recent operations in the Middle East, particularly related to the conflict with Iran. Rubio singled out Spain as one country that denied such access, while acknowledging others had been cooperative.

Concurrently, the United States has informed NATO of a decision to reduce its contribution to the alliance's force planning model. U.S. European Command stated the...