08/07/2026 10:13 - Internacionales
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Turkey for the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, held on July 7 and 8, 2026, in Ankara. In a context of global tensions, the alliance aims to consolidate its unity and set new defense guidelines under a climate of renewal and cooperation.
During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Trump did not hide his dissatisfaction with the response of European allies during the recent conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. 'I was very disappointed with NATO,' the U.S. president stated. He clarified that, while the U.S. did not need military help, he was testing his allies: 'I was testing to see if they would be there or not,' he lamented, highlighting a historical complaint about the lack of reciprocity in the alliance's military support.
In a positive twist for bilateral relations, Trump announced that Washington will consider selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey. To provide context, the F-35 is one of the most advanced multi-role combat aircraft in the world, central to NATO's air superiority. Turkey had been excluded from the program in 2019 after acquiring a Russian S-400 air defense system, which generated sanctions and a diplomatic cooling due to security concerns over Russian technology operating alongside Western fighters.
'It's a great plane, the best plane by far, and it's certainly something we're going to consider,' Trump affirmed alongside Erdoğan. Additionally, he confirmed that his administration will lift the sanctions: 'We don't want to sanction our friends,' he added, opening a door of hope for Turkey's full readmission into the alliance's most advanced defense program.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the top civilian official overseeing the alliance, spoke of a 'transformed NATO' at the summit's inauguration. One of the main goals discussed is the increase in military spending, setting an ambitious target of 5% of GDP by the year 2035 to guarantee collective security.
On the other hand, the summit features the prominent presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who seeks to consolidate military support from allies against the ongoing Russian aggression. Zelensky is attending to request an annual aid package of $80 billion and the deployment of Patriot missiles, a highly effective air defense system, in response to recent attacks that have raised international concern.
Sources: Deutsche Welle and Infobae.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
