A summit of 32 world leaders in Ankara is being billed as one of the most consequential in NATO's history, with the alliance's future role, spending commitments, and support for Ukraine all hanging in the balance. For UK readers, the meeting comes at a moment of political transition at home and rising tensions with Russia, making the decisions taken in the Turkish capital more immediate than ever.
NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – is a military alliance founded in 1949 to guarantee the security of its members through collective defence. Article 5 of its founding treaty means an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all. Its 32 member states span Europe and North America, and the alliance has been the cornerstone of UK national security for decades. The summit in Ankara, which started on 7 July 2026, is the first time leaders have met in person since the war in Ukraine entered its third year and since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency with sharp criticisms of European defence spending.
“A concise explainer on NATO's role, the Ankara summit, defence spending tensions, and what it means for the UK.”
Tensions over defence spending are not new. NATO members agreed in 2014 to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence, a target many struggled to meet. But the war in Ukraine pushed allies to aim higher. Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, has called for "clear and credible" plans to commit 3.5% of GDP – a level the UK has not yet pledged. The outgoing UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, is attending the summit with less than two weeks left in office, and his government has committed to spending 2.7% of GDP by 2027-28, but without a firm date for hitting 3%. Incoming prime minister Andy Burnham will face pressure to set out how he intends to reach the 3.5% target, with defence secretary Dan Jarvis saying Burnham needs to provide a plan.
The summit also takes place against a backdrop of increased Russian military activity. Downing Street says Russian vessels threatening UK waters have increased by 30% in the past two years, and NATO has scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft near allied airspace more than 700 times. To counter these threats, NATO announced new investments including $40bn on anti-drone capabilities and the purchase of up to 10 Saab GlobalEye surveillance planes to replace the ageing AWACS fleet – a contract that went to a Swedish company over US planemaker Boeing.
## Key questions answered
Q: What does NATO actually do? NATO is a political and military alliance that provides collective defence – if one member is attacked, all members respond. It also conducts crisis management, cooperative security, and joint military exercises. Its primary focus now is deterring Russia and supporting Ukraine.
Q: Why is defence spending such a big issue at this summit? The US, NATO's largest funder, has long complained that European allies are not spending enough. President Trump has pushed for a 3.5% of GDP target, and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte has said allies need "clear and credible" plans to reach it. Countries that don't meet the target risk being seen as unreliable partners.
Q: How does the Ankara summit affect the UK? The UK is a major NATO contributor, hosting allied forces and spending 2.7% of GDP on defence by 2027-28. But with a new prime minister due in two weeks, the summit will test whether Britain can maintain its influence. The government says its commitment "will not waver", and wants to build "a stronger and more European NATO".
## What happens next
Starmer will use the summit to rally European allies and try to avoid a public rebuke from Trump. Meanwhile, Burnham – the prime minister in waiting – is expected to face questions about how he will close a £5bn gap in defence investment and produce a credible plan to reach 3.5% of GDP. The summit runs for two days, and further announcements on Ukraine aid and new capabilities are likely. For UK readers, the outcome will shape the country's security posture for years to come.