Trump and Putin Have Accidentally Saved NATO | Opinion
Summary
NATO has become stronger and better armed in recent years, partly due to pressure from President Donald Trump for European countries to spend more on defense. Despite improvements, political tensions and doubts about U.S. commitments could threaten the alliance’s progress as leaders meet at the NATO summit in Ankara.Key Facts
- NATO allies spent only 1.4% of their GDP on defense in 2014, too low to maintain military strength.
- Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and again in 2022, highlighting NATO’s need to improve defense capabilities.
- President Trump pushed European countries to increase defense spending, raising it to 2.3% of GDP by 2025.
- The U.S. share of NATO defense spending dropped from 70% in 2022 to 62% in 2025 as European countries spent more.
- Public trust in the U.S. as a NATO ally has decreased, with only 11% in Europe viewing America as an ally in a 2025 survey.
- Trump’s threats to withdraw protection from allies who don’t meet spending targets have caused political tension in NATO.
- Despite stronger military spending, NATO still faces a political test to maintain unity and trust among members.
- The NATO summit in Ankara is focused on preserving the alliance’s recent gains and ensuring the U.S. commitment remains firm.
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