Trump threatens then praises NATO allies at Ankara summit, pledges missiles to Ukraine

Trump's stormy morning

President Donald Trump opened the final day of the Ankara NATO summit on July 8 with a fiercely critical tirade against European allies, accusing them of inadequate defense spending. The morning session, described by attendees as a 'barrage of criticism,' set a tense tone as leaders braced for further confrontations. Yet by the afternoon session, the mood had shifted dramatically, with the American president adopting what France 24 called 'an extraordinarily conciliatory tone.' The day's reversal culminated when Trump took the podium in the evening and declared the gathering a resounding success.

1. Morning sessionTrump levels sharp criticism at European allies over defense spending.
2. Declaration adoptedAll 32 NATO members adopt final declaration reaffirming 'unwavering' commitment to Article 5.
3. Missile pledgeTrump promises to supply Patriot missile systems to Ukraine during talks with President Zelensky.
4. Closing remarksTrump praises the summit as 'full of unity' and a success.

Alliance reaffirms solidarity

Despite the early turbulence, all 32 member states unanimously adopted a final declaration that underscored their 'unwavering' commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, the alliance's foundational mutual defense clause.

An attack against one Ally is an attack against all.

French newspaper Le Monde reported that the joint statement had been hammered out under intense pressure, with diplomats working through the night to reconcile the U.S. president's demands with European positions.

Patriot missiles for Ukraine

In a surprise move that Les Echos described as a 'turning point for Ukraine,' Trump held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and promised the transfer of Patriot air defense systems. The pledge, which had not been expected at the summit, was welcomed by Kyiv as a major boost to its air defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky, who had arrived seeking concrete security guarantees, left Ankara with the missile commitment in hand.

Unity, at least in words

Le Figaro noted that by the end of the summit, Trump was boasting of a gathering 'full of unity' ("plein d'unité"), a sharp contrast to the morning's attacks. European leaders, though privately exasperated, publicly welcomed the reaffirmation of Article 5 and the missile pledge as evidence that the transatlantic bond remained intact. The summit closed without any member openly contradicting the U.S. president, leaving analysts to debate whether the drama was a negotiating tactic or a genuine rift.