NATO allies reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense against threats, while European Allies and Canada increased defense spending by over $139 billion. The alliance also stressed that Iran “must never” develop a nuclear weapon.

The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, began yesterday, bringing together leaders from all 32 member countries alongside key international partners.

Alliance Reaffirms Article 5 Collective Defense Commitments 

The alliance issued a declaration on Wednesday in which the allies emphasized their commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty: “An attack on one is an attack on all.”

“Our unity, solidarity and collective strength remain the foundation of peace, security, and prosperity for the one billion citizens in our Alliance of free and democratic nations,” the declaration noted.

The declaration stated that the alliance remains committed to its 360-degree approach to deterrence and defense.

NATO Unveils $50B Procurement and $139B Spending Boost 

To counter long-term security threats from Russia and terrorism, European Allies and Canada have expanded their core defense investments by more than $139 billion.

Additionally, new procurements exceeding $50 billion were announced at the Ankara Summit to expand manufacturing capacity and accelerate innovation.

The declaration highlighted that member states are building a modernized alliance by ensuring European Allies and Canada assume greater responsibility alongside the United States.

To maintain their combat advantage, leaders emphasized that NATO is “investing in our ability to deploy, enable and sustain our armed forces and deliver our capability targets in all domains,” including cyber, space, and advanced artificial intelligence.

Declaration Pledges €70 Billion to Ukraine 

Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, member countries reiterated their "unwavering support" for Kyiv by pledging €70 billion in military equipment, assistance, and training for this year, while affirming their sovereign commitment to sustain at least equivalent funding levels in 2027.

‘Iran Must Never Have a Nuclear Weapon’

The declaration also touched upon regional conflicts and Tehran's nuclear program, underscoring that “Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”

The allies called on Tehran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.