NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said he intends to use the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara to underline the alliance's strategic importance to the United States and President Donald Trump.
Speaking during a visit to the United States at the Atlantic Council, Rutte said the summit will bring together representatives from 42 countries, including NATO partners from the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. He noted that the combined economic output of participating nations exceeds $70 trillion, highlighting the alliance's global reach and economic weight.
Rutte described President Trump as NATO's strongest figure and a global leader, saying the gathering should emphasize his role within the alliance.
He also stated that European NATO members and Canada have significantly increased defense spending since Trump's return to the White House, investing hundreds of billions of dollars more in military capabilities.
According to Rutte, the Ankara summit will also feature the signing of defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars, a move he said would further reinforce US support for European security.
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