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PoliticsNATO may cancel next year's summit in Albania amid US-Europe tensions
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During the ongoing NATO summit in Ankara, discussions have intensified about potentially canceling the alliance's next planned summit in Albania. The uncertainty stems from U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated questioning of NATO's strength and significance, as well as tensions between the United States and Europe. Trump attended the Ankara summit only due to his warm relations with Turkish President Erdogan, but then proceeded to criticize the alliance. Albania, the proposed host, is among NATO members spending below 2% of GDP on defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is trying to preserve the tradition of annual summits by highlighting increased defense spending by member states. The final communique of the Ankara summit will omit any reference to the next meeting. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, confirmed the summit would be held in Albania but said whether it occurs next year or the year after remains under discussion.
Source report
Discussions regarding a potential cancellation of the next NATO summit have gained momentum during the ongoing meeting in Ankara. The mere fact that this year’s summit is taking place in its current format and with its present lineup is considered a success.
Until the very end, it was uncertain whether U.S. President Donald Trump would participate in the event. Upon arriving in Ankara on Tuesday, Trump stated that he had come to the Turkish capital only because of the warm relations he shares with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He then proceeded to criticise the Alliance.
According to Bloomberg, the likelihood that next year’s summit will not take place at all is increasing, driven by Trump’s continuous questioning of the Alliance’s strength and significance.
Albania is slated to host the event. The country is among the group of allies that spend the least on defence—below 2% of their GDP.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is striving to maintain the tradition of annual Alliance summits. In Ankara, he is attempting to impress Trump by praising the increasing defence spending of member states.
At this time, it is known that the final communique of the Ankara summit will not include a reference to the next meeting.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, told Bloomberg that the summit would be held in Albania. However, whether it will take place next year or the year after remains a subject of discussion.
By Patryk Jagnieża 8 July 2026, 16:26
Tags: Albania | Ankara | Donald Trump | NATO | Mark Rutte | United States | Europe | NATO Summit | Show all
Source
Defence24.comWestern
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