President Donald Trump enters the final day of the NATO summit as alliance leaders seek to project unity on defense spending, support for Ukraine, and the future of transatlantic security. The summit's final day comes after a series of headline-making announcements and bilateral meetings during the opening day of the gathering. Trump will join fellow NATO leaders for the summit's only plenary session before holding bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The final day's agenda is expected to focus on the alliance's efforts to strengthen collective defense as members continue implementing higher defense spending commitments and coordinate support for Ukraine. This comes more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting with Zelenskyy will be among the day's most closely watched events as Kyiv continues pressing allies for military assistance and air defense capabilities.
Ukraine has warned it is running critically low on Patriot interceptor missiles, which Ukrainian officials describe as the country's most effective defense against Russia's ballistic missile attacks. Ukrainian officials said none of the ballistic missiles launched during a massive barrage this week could be intercepted because of dwindling supplies. Kyiv has appealed to nearly 40 partner nations to immediately transfer Patriot interceptors from their existing stockpiles.
Trump also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday, announcing the United States would lift sanctions on Turkey. He also signaled he is prepared to move forward with the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Ankara despite years of U.S. opposition. The two leaders' discussion on defense spending and military cooperation comes as NATO seeks to strengthen its collective defense.
Later, Trump is expected to meet with Syrian President al-Sharaa, whose government has sought closer engagement with Washington following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss the shift in the security landscape in the Middle East and new opportunities for U.S.-Turkish cooperation.
Trump is expected to cap the summit with a press conference outlining the administration's priorities for the alliance and any agreements reached during the two-day gathering. The press conference will provide an opportunity for Trump to address criticism from European allies and express his views on NATO's future.
The final day's discussions will also focus on how allies turn 2025's landmark commitment to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense and defense-related investments into tangible military capabilities. NATO Secretary-General has urged member nations to present clear plans for meeting the target, arguing the alliance must accelerate the production of weapons, ammunition, and military infrastructure to deter Russia.
On Tuesday, Trump again questioned whether NATO members were doing enough to support the United States and suggested he could withdraw U.S. troops from Europe. He renewed his push for U.S. control of Greenland, sparking renewed criticism from European allies.
