NATO Ankara summit reaffirms Article 5 collective defense commitment despite Trump criticism

The 32-country defence alliance NATO has repeatedly been derided by Donald Trump, who has both threatened to invade allied territories and cast doubt over the US commitment to Article 5 — the crucial mutual defence clause that forms the basis of the treaty.

Yet despite the US president's scorn and acerbic rebuke of other members, this week's summit in Ankara has produced an "ironclad commitment to our collective defence under Article 5," a result that will bring relief to many who feared Trump would exacerbate tensions further.

Although Trump has previously upbraided Europe and Canada for not spending enough on their defence, Wednesday's declaration recognises that "Allies are delivering on The Hague defence commitment" to boost broad defence spending to 5% by 2035. It also sees allies committing "to expanding collective manufacturing capacity and working with industry to accelerate innovation."

There is no clear mention of the next NATO summit in the declaration, which should be held in Albania in 2027.

Roundup

Penalising European Environmental Crime

MEPs have overwhelmingly consented to a European treaty criminalising a range of environmental crimes. These include:

• Pollution
• Management of hazardous waste
• Recycling of ships and ship-source discharges of polluting substances
• Mining
• Illegal logging of timber
• Destruction or trade in wild fauna or flora
• Deterioration of protected habitats

Fighting for Third Place in the European Parliament

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) are within touching distance of becoming the European Parliament's third-largest grouping, after bringing in two more members this week. Bulgarian MEPs Elena Yoncheva and Taner Kabilov joined the national conservative group on Tuesday, bringing the ECR's total number of deputies to 84 — just one shy of the Patriots for Europe, who have 85.

Ireland Bans Goods from Israeli Settlements

Ireland's parliament on Tuesday approved legislation banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, as Dublin presses ahead with one of Europe's most far-reaching trade measures over Israel's occupation. Ireland was the first EU country to propose such a ban, but Spain already implemented a package of import restrictions last October.

Across Europe

Hungary Broadcasters Draw Line Under Orbán Influence

Hungarian state-owned news channels issued an extraordinary apology to viewers on Tuesday to mark a clear break with the editorial interventions committed by Viktor Orbán's government. "Public service media must not lie. We apologise for having done exactly that for many years. Public service media is now being reformed so that, in the future, it will be independent and trustworthy," read a highly symbolic message.

Serbia EU Bid Blocked

Eight national capitals have blocked a European Commission proposal to open a new EU membership negotiations 'cluster' with Serbia, scuppering moves to fast-track Belgrade. Diplomats said that ambassadors from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden were firmly opposed to opening talks on single market alignment with Serbia.

EU Hits Hungary for Food Price Caps

The Commission took the decision to sue Hungary over a decree imposing a 10% cap on supermarket profit margins for a range of food products, including chicken, milk, oil and sugar. Viktor Orbán's government adopted the rules in 2025, and his successor Péter Magyar has kept them in force with no end date in sight.