ANKARA — NATO leaders are preparing to convene in the Turkish capital this week with Ukraine's defense needs expected to dominate the agenda, as allies seek to sustain military support for Kyiv while advancing broader commitments on defense spending, industrial production and collective security.
The two-day summit, beginning July 7, will bring together leaders of the alliance's 32 member states alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and senior European Union officials, according to NATO and alliance officials. The meeting follows months of consultations over military assistance to Ukraine and efforts to expand Europe's defense capabilities amid Russia's continuing war.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said the summit will focus on translating previous commitments into practical measures, including increased defense investment, expanded industrial production and continued long-term support for Ukraine. NATO says allied military assistance is intended to help Ukraine meet its urgent defensive requirements while ensuring support remains sustainable.
Ukraine is expected to press allies for additional air defense systems, interceptor missiles and other military assistance after renewed Russian missile and drone attacks. Zelenskiy has called for "strong decisions" from NATO partners to strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend its cities and critical infrastructure.
Alliance members are also expected to review progress toward a long-term goal of increasing defense-related spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, a target agreed in principle last year. While countries including Poland and several Baltic states have accelerated military investment, others continue to face fiscal and political challenges in reaching the benchmark, according to NATO officials and analysts.
A NATO Defense Industry Forum scheduled alongside the summit is expected to showcase new defense production initiatives and procurement agreements involving allied governments and industry. Senior NATO officials have said billions of dollars in defense contracts are anticipated as the alliance seeks to expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen supply chains.
The summit will also address wider security issues, including alliance readiness and burden-sharing, amid continuing discussions over the future balance of defense responsibilities between North America and Europe. Officials say the meeting is intended to review progress since last year's summit and establish the next phase of NATO's strategic objectives.
NATO's official program includes meetings of heads of state and government on July 8, a NATO-Ukraine Council session at the ministerial level, and a concluding news conference by Rutte after leaders complete their discussions.
