NATO summit disputes with Trump put 2027 Albania meeting in doubt

During the NATO summit in Ankara, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized alliance members, warned of possible U.S. troop withdrawals from Europe, and said any decision would depend on agreements over Greenland and the war with Iran. He also praised Spain’s recent stance and highlighted the alliance’s unity.

At the same time, NATO leaders debated whether to skip or downgrade next year’s annual summit, which is scheduled for Albania. Officials said U.S. pressure and concerns over Albania’s defense spending—still well below the alliance’s 5 % of GDP target—complicate planning. NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte is urging the alliance to maintain the yearly summit format, but the possibility of canceling the 2027 meeting looms if tensions with Trump persist.

If the summit is cancelled, it would signal a deeper division within NATO, exposing the conflict between member commitments to higher defense spending and the political drama generated by the U.S. president’s critiques.