Trump Repositions as Peacemaker Ahead of NATO Summit, to Meet Zelenskyy as Russia Strikes Kyiv Again
Trump signaled dissatisfaction with NATO ahead of a summit, calling US support 'ridiculous' and claiming allies failed America during the Iran conflict.
Donald Trump declared the United States' current level of support for NATO 'ridiculous' ahead of an alliance summit in Ankara, Turkey, escalating his long-running pressure campaign on European defense spending. Trump argued that Washington's relationship with the alliance is 'not reciprocal,' a complaint he has raised repeatedly since his first term in office. Alongside his Truth Social remarks, Trump posted a chart displaying contributions from NATO members, showing the US vastly outspending its allies. In a striking rhetorical move, Trump claimed NATO allies 'were not there for us' during the recent US confrontation with Iran, using the episode as evidence that the alliance's obligations do not flow both ways. As the summit began, Trump repositioned himself as a peacemaker following a lengthy phone call with Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Trump 'there is a real prospect to end this war,' and Trump is set to meet Zelenskyy at the NATO summit. A US official said battlefield progress is 'frozen,' with Trump feeling urgency to end the months-long Kyiv-Moscow stalemate. On the eve of Trump's trip to the summit, Russia launched a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv, and Russia has since attacked Kyiv again, dramatically underscoring the security stakes surrounding the gathering. As Trump cools on NATO, alliance members are increasingly viewing Turkey — the summit's host nation — as a valuable partner, pointing to its large military and vibrant defense sector as significant assets. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested in an interview that the personal friendship between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump could help ease tensions within NATO, framing the bilateral relationship as a stabilizing force for the alliance. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned of 'critical months' ahead for Poland in the face of a Russian threat, saying Poland is preparing for 'various' scenarios following media reports of a planned Russian attack. Tusk also urged caution in making further Ukraine aid pledges at the NATO summit, citing Poland's significant security responsibilities along the eastern EU border.
Why it matters
Trump's remarks inject uncertainty into the NATO summit at a moment when the alliance is already under pressure over the war in Ukraine and European defense investment. Statements from the US president directly shape whether allies view the American security guarantee as reliable.
What's next
Watch for how NATO member governments respond at the summit and whether Trump uses the gathering to formally demand higher defense spending targets.
Key facts
- Trump described the US relationship with NATO as 'not reciprocal'
- Trump said NATO allies 'were not there for us' during the US-Iran conflict
- Trump called maintaining current US NATO support levels 'ridiculous'
- The comments were made ahead of an upcoming NATO alliance summit
- Trump has raised burden-sharing grievances with NATO repeatedly since his first presidential term
Bias & framing notes
Only a single source was available for this story, limiting the ability to cross-check facts or framing. The Guardian's headline leads with the word 'Ridiculous' in quotes, which is accurate attribution but places emphasis on the most provocative element of Trump's remarks. The claim about Iran — that allies 'were not there for us' — is reported without further context or verification of what allied support was requested or offered, which is a notable gap.
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