Media: Trump's pressure, Ukraine rift put NATO to test

Next week's NATO summit in Ankara is set to expose growing divisions within the alliance, with leaders confronting disagreements over defence spending, military support for Ukraine, and emerging security threats from Russia, The Telegraph reports.

According to the report, the alliance faces mounting pressure on three fronts: the United States' reassessment of its military commitments to Europe, waning support among several Central European allies for financing Ukraine, and intelligence warnings from Poland and Latvia that Russia may be preparing a potential "provocation" targeting Poland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will attend the summit as a guest, is expected to prioritize securing financial assistance rather than additional weapons. The report notes that Ukraine's expanding drone capabilities have strengthened its military, but Kyiv is increasingly constrained by a shortage of funds needed both for the war effort and to sustain its war-ravaged economy.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signaled a shift in Warsaw's approach, saying Poland must prioritize its own security needs.

"Ukraine is fighting, but Poland bears the main burden of defending the border and needs a special treatment," Tusk said. "Poland has its own big responsibility for defending the European Union's eastern border."

He added that he had instructed Poland's defence and foreign ministers "to be careful with any declarations of further financial support from Poland" to Ukraine and instead focus on strengthening the country's own armed forces.

The report also says Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has rejected NATO plans for expanded military and financial assistance, declaring that "Slovakia will not pay for Ukraine's military expenses." Meanwhile, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has opposed a proposed €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, while Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has ruled out supplying arms to Kyiv.

Relations between Kyiv and Warsaw have also reportedly deteriorated following recent disputes, further complicating efforts to maintain regional unity.

Although NATO members are expected to announce military assistance worth €70 billion for 2026 and pledge at least an equivalent amount for 2027, the report says much of the package repackages existing commitments rather than providing significant new funding.

The summit is also expected to reflect changing US priorities. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies over defence spending, writing on social media that it was "ridiculous for the US to continue along this one sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal."

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth likewise argued that NATO should become "a balanced alliance with Europe in the lead for its own defence."

Despite internal disagreements, officials cited in the report suggest that any significant escalation by Russia—whether through hybrid, cyber, or infrastructure attacks—could ultimately reinforce NATO unity at a time when support for Ukraine is facing increasing political strain.

By Vafa Guliyeva