NATO summit to reaffirm collective defense with Trump on board

Leaders of NATO member states, including US President Donald Trump, are set to reaffirm their commitment to collective defense at next week's summit.

According to a draft joint declaration obtained by Reuters on Thursday (local time), NATO leaders plan to reaffirm their collective defense obligations under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty at the summit, which runs Tuesday through Wednesday in Ankara, Turkey.

Collective defense — the principle that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all — forms the bedrock of the NATO alliance.

"We have gathered in Ankara to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the Treaty and to the transatlantic alliance," the declaration states. "An attack against one ally is an attack against us all."

The draft has received approval from ambassadors of all 32 NATO member states, including the United States, and will be finalized after heads of state give their formal approval at the summit.

Trump's participation in the declaration is drawing particular attention. Reuters said it suggests that, at least for now, Trump is willing to back NATO's collective defense principle.

Trump has long criticized NATO allies for relying on US security support without bearing sufficient defense costs. He has even raised the possibility of withdrawing from the alliance after clashing with European leaders over US and Israeli military operations against Iran.

NATO leaders also plan to finalize a long-term, stable military funding arrangement for Ukraine at the meeting.

The draft declaration includes a pledge to provide Ukraine with a total of 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military aid this year, with at least the same level of support to be maintained next year.

In the declaration, NATO designates Russia as a "long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability" and said European member states and Canada are fulfilling the defense spending pledges they made at last year's Hague summit.

"We are building a future of a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO," the declaration adds. "European allies and Canada are taking on greater responsibility for alliance defense alongside the United States."

The language is widely seen as an effort to placate Trump and American public opinion over burden-sharing grievances.

The declaration also states that "allies reaffirm that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, and call on Iran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."