Albania’s NATO Summit Hosting in Question Over US Opposition and Defense Spending

NATO leaders are preparing for a summit in Turkey while the alliance’s 2027 summit planned for Albania is now uncertain. A draft conclusion for the Ankara meeting omits any reference to Albania, reflecting resistance from the Trump administration and dissatisfaction among members over Albania’s defence‑budget levels. NATO officials say the draft is not a final decision, and Albania says it is finalising fiscal measures to raise its 2026 defence spending to 2.6 % of GDP, aiming to meet alliance targets.

The United States has warned against “free‑riding” allies, pressing countries to move toward a 5 % of GDP defence‑spending goal by 2035. NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte noted that most allies have reached the 2 % benchmark, but Albania, along with Czechia and Slovenia, had previously lagged.

Separately, Kosovo will not attend the NATO summit in Ankara, which will involve 32 member states and a limited set of partners. NATO stressed the strategic importance of the Western Balkans and the ongoing role of the KFOR mission there.