U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting with his NATO counterparts in Ankara, Turkey, for a two-day summit intended to showcase how alliance members are stepping up defense spending at Trump’s demand and focusing on support for Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Speaking at the summit a day after Trump again expressed a desire for the U.S. to control Greenland, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, “Greenland is of course not for sale.”
“We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenland people’s right for self-determination,” she said. “And we are sovereign states and we need everybody to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty.”
NATO leaders are trying to show increased military capabilities as the U.S. focus shifts from defending Europe. The alliance is holding a two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey, that will showcase military projects worth billions of dollars aimed at persuading Trump they are making a stronger Europe for a stronger NATO.
Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said Wednesday that Greenland’s people “do not wish to be a part of the United States” and that NATO allies should focus on the threat from Russia.
Trump, in a major twist Tuesday, launched a series of strikes on Iran and revoked a license that allowed Tehran to sell its oil on the world market. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump said Wednesday that the interim agreement with Iran is “over,” but he will allow talks to continue.
As the summit meetings began Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said overnight U.S. strikes on Iran were necessary because Iran had violated the ceasefire.
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Trump scheduled to host Lebanese president at White House
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to visit Trump on July 21, a White House official said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly announce it.
A statement from the Lebanese embassy in Washington said the leaders will discuss regional security and other topics of mutual interest.
The U.S. helped broker a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, and the issue has been a continued factor in negotiations toward the end of the war in Iran.
Lebanon likely to loom large in Trump-Sharaa meeting
Damascus and Washington have been tight-lipped about the agenda of Wednesday’s planned meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, but it’s likely that they will discuss Syria’s role in neighboring Lebanon.
Despite having once been an al-Qaida fighter, al-Sharaa has won Trump’s good graces, and Syria under him has restored long-shattered ties with the west.
Trump has several times publicly proposed that Syria should supplant Israel in combatting the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Al-Sharaa has said that he has no desire to intervene militarily in Lebanon. Syria remained on the sidelines of the regional war that erupted after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.
Trump and al-Sharaa will also likely discuss Syria’s relations with Israel, which is currently occupying a strip of southern Syria, while negotiations for a security agreement between the two countries have stalled.
Trump’s barbs are helping to draw Europe closer together
Trump’s attacks on Italy’s premier last month had an unintended consequence.
After Trump questioned Italy’s reliability as a wartime ally and claimed Giorgia Meloni had groveled for his attention, European leaders rallied to Meloni’s side, thawing what had been a frosty relationship over her hard-right political roots.
It was the latest example of how the often divisive American president is helping to draw Europe closer together.
This newfound European unity is already being tested in Turkey as Trump renews his attacks against NATO allies and claims that the U.S. should take over Greenland.
Turkey reveals its new military HQ
Turkey unveiled its new “Crescent and Star” military headquarters in Ankara to NATO defence ministers.
“This new headquarters complex will be fully operational soon and it will take its place among the largest military headquarters in the world,” Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler told his counterparts.
The design of the building, which is still under construction, replicates the image on Turkey’s flag when viewed from above.
“Being more than just a modern headquarters facility, it stands as a physical symbol of Turkey’s consolidated, agile and forward-looking defense posture,” Guler added.
Leaders meet behind closed doors for summit’s central discussion
The heads of NATO member countries gathered for a meeting that was originally scheduled to last three hours.
The meeting began with remarks from Erdogan and Rutte, with Trump seated to their right.
After the session, Trump is scheduled to have one-on-one meetings with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Spain says relationship with US is ‘excellent’
In response to Trump’s comments, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s office said that Spain “maintains an excellent social, cultural, and economic relationship with the US, and we have no intention of seeing that change.”
The spokesperson said the Spanish government regarded such statements “as a matter of routine.”
The spokesperson referenced the U.S.’ trade surplus with Spain, and the fact that the European Union handles trade for the bloc’s 27 member countries.
Erdogan offers to assist Hormuz demining efforts
Erdogan says his country is prepared to contribute to demining efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Turkish president made the remarks in a speech marking the opening of the summit he is hosting.
Earlier, Erdogan was seen in a huddle with Trump, joined by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Syrian president arrives in Ankara
As NATO member countries commenced their meeting in Ankara Wednesday, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in the Turkish capital, Syrian state television reported.
It said al-Sharaa will “hold numerous meetings with world leaders” in addition to his scheduled bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
Oil prices surge nearly 6%
The price of Brent crude oil jumped 5.7% to more than $78 a barrel after Trump’s comments on the ceasefire with Iran on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
U.S. benchmark crude surged 5.8% to $74.55 a barrel. Crude prices had declined recently from spikes well above $100 a barrel to around the levels they were at before the war with Iran began in late February.
NATO chief looks to defuse Greenland tensions
Speaking alongside Trump on the sidelines of the summit, Rutte reassured Trump that their earlier security framework involving Greenland is still in place.
“You and I made a deal in Davos,” Rutte said. “I will make sure that that deal is step-by-step being implemented.”
Trump earlier this year said he reached a deal with Rutte on Arctic security. It came as Trump was threatening tariffs against European countries in his push for U.S. control of Greenland.
The deal included assurances on the U.S.’s Golden Dome missile defense program, a $175 billion effort to put U.S. weapons in space.
Rutte tells Trump to ‘grab the win’
As Trump ticked off his litany of complaints about NATO – from defense spending to Greenland to Iran – it was again up to the alliance’s secretary general to try and soothe him.
Rutte responded with all the developments in defense spending from NATO allies.
“I would argue that without you in this chair, this would not have happened,” Rutte told Trump as the two met Wednesday morning. “Grab the win. It’s there.”
Rutte also pointed out to Trump, as he as done previously, that the countries that were unhelpful in Trump’s view on Iran were “isolated cases.”
Trump on Iran ceasefire: ‘For me, I think it’s over’
Trump told reporters at NATO that he will allow talks with Iran to continue, though he said, “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
He made the comments hours after launching strikes on Iran to retaliate for strikes on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” Trump said.
Trump says Greenland ‘is a big problem’
The president continued his demands for Greenland on Wednesday, saying the U.S. needs to gain ownership of it for security reasons.
His renewed insistence on claiming the semiautonomous territory of Denmark has upended the NATO summit in Ankara.
“Greenland is very important to the United States, but it’s not important to Denmark,” Trump argued, as he met with Rutte on the second day of the summit. He continued, “We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States.”
Trump renews threat to cut off trade with Spain
Lashing out at Spain and calling it a “terrible partner,” Trump on Wednesday revived an earlier threat to break off trade.
“Spain is a wasted cause,” Trump said on the sidelines of the NATO summit. “We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way. I’d like to cut it off.”
He went on: “I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits.”
Trump made a similar threat in March, citing Spain’s lack of support for his war in Iran and resistance to increasing NATO spending.
Greece calls for recognition of ‘sensitivities’
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would not directly comment on the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, but said his country was “still faced with an open threat” from Turkey and that Athens’ sensitivities must be taken into consideration.
He was referring to a long-standing warning by Turkey that Ankara would consider a move by Greece to expand its territorial waters in the Aegean from 6 to 12 miles as a “cause of war.”
NATO allies Turkey and Greece have decades-old disputes over an array of issues, including territorial claims in the Aegean Sea and disputes over the airspace there.
“We need to be cognizant of the fact that the sensitivities of all NATO allies need to be taken into consideration,” Mitsotakis said.
After launching strikes on Iran, Trump says ceasefire is ‘over’ but says negotiations can continue
Trump said Wednesday that the interim agreement with Iran is “over” but he will allow talks to continue.
“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire. “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
He made the comment on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, and hours after striking Iran in what the U.S. described as retaliation for strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Belgian PM puts the boots in at NATO summit
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever was upbeat about NATO’s support to Ukraine and used the organization’s new loan plans for the country to take a sly dig at the United States.
De Wever noted that NATO stands ready to provide 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military aid to Ukraine this year and in 2027.
“This is also a very strong ‘red card’ to Putin,” he said, adding, “You can’t just take back a red card. You know that.”
Belgium beat the U.S. 4-1 on Monday in a World Cup round of 16 knockout match. FIFA lifted a suspension on a star U.S. striker for the Belgium game after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened.
De Wever and Trump were seated at the same summit table in Ankara on Wednesday.
US Congress members express openness to Turkey rejoining F-35 program
Members of a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation to the NATO summit in Ankara expressed optimism Wednesday that a solution can be worked out to allow Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet program.
Turkey was booted out of the program after its purchase in 2019 of Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, which U.S. officials feared could enable Moscow to gather information on the F-35’s capabilities.
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who cowrote the legislation that kicked Turkey out of the program, said that if there is “an acceptable way” to deal with that concern, “then I think having Turkiye back in the F35 program would be a positive development.”
Rep. Mike Turner said “the details (of the proposal) that have been shared with us so far do appear to be promising.” He did not give further information.
France’s Macron greets locals on morning run
French President Emmanuel Macron surprised Ankara residents as he shouted a cheery “Bonjour” during his morning jog through the capital’s streets.
He set off from his hotel in the city’s upmarket Cankaya district, heading uphill to a nearby park with a few bodyguards and a translator. Macron wore his now-trademark mirrored sunglasses for the hourlong run.
The closest Ankara locals usually get to their own leaders is while waiting for heavily guarded motorcades to pass.
German leader hopes summit will send ‘clear message to Moscow’
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he expects the summit to produce “a new spirit in NATO that makes NATO stronger, that makes NATO more united.”
He vowed allies will keep helping Ukraine and pointed to a European initiative to provide a further 70 billion euros ($80 billion) this year and again next year.
Merz said “it is now exclusively up to Russia to end this war and we will do everything again today to achieve that; and also send a clear message to Moscow. Russia has no chance of winning this war.”
Finnish president reaffirms support for Denmark
Finnish President Alexander Stubb reaffirmed that matters concerning Greenland are “only in the hands of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
He said it is important that the NATO alliance stays intact.
Stubb is known as a Trump whisperer in Europe.
US senator hopes summit will include recommitment to Ukraine
U.S. Sen Jeanne Shaheen said she is hopeful the summit will include a recommitment to Ukraine.
“The momentum is on the side of Ukraine at this point and we need to do everything possible to ramp up pressure on Russia to come to the table,” the Democrat from New Hampshire said.
Shaheen is co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group.
Lithuania president offers demining experts for Strait of Hormuz
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said his country was in solidarity with the United States in order to guarantee the free navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.
Nausėda said the Baltic country was ready to contribute by sending its demining mission if required.
“We have to stay united if we expect a solidarity from the side of the United States,” he said.
Norway prime minister rejects Trump’s Greenland claim
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, when asked about Trump’s designs on Greenland, said he “rejects that kind of rhetoric, that kind of claim.”
“Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he told reporters. “It is up to the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide how that development should proceed.”
Iceland prime minister voices support for Greenland
Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said in remarks Wednesday in Ankara that Greenland’s people “do not wish to be a part of the United States” and that NATO allies should focus on the threat from Russia.
“Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland,” she said.
“What we need now is unity. We have threats coming from outside the alliance,” Frostadottir said. “I mean, Russia is the biggest threat when it comes to these NATO allies. We need to focus on us and how we stick together.”
Danish prime minister vows to defend Greenland
Speaking at the NATO summit a day after U.S. President Donald Trump again expressed a desire for the U.S. to control Greenland, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, “Greenland is of course not for sale.”
“We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenland people right for self-determination,” she said. “And we are sovereign states and we need everybody to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty.”
She said Denmark is “ready to defend every inch of NATO including our own territory” in the event of an attack and would rely on NATO allies to honor their commitment to defend each other.
NATO chief supports US strikes on Iran
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Wednesday at the alliance’s summit in Ankara that the overnight U.S. strikes on Iran were necessary.
Iran had violated the ceasefire, Rutte said.
“I think it is totally crucial that the U.S. forcefully reacts,” Rutte said.
He expects NATO members to “reconfirm that Iran should never, ever get its hands on a nuclear capability” and also to reaffirm the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
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