Ankara NATO summit draws sharp criticism from Turkish politicians

The 36th NATO summit was held in Ankara on 7‑8 July 2026, bringing together alliance leaders to discuss a range of security issues, including the war in Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear program, and European defence spending.

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli told a parliamentary group meeting that the summit was not a routine diplomatic event and described Turkey as a “founding actor” of a new strategic era, citing the alliance’s historic commitments and current challenges such as the Ukraine aid and regional tensions.

Bünyamin Karataş, head of the BBP in Niğde, used the summit to denounce the United States, calling the Turkish‑American partnership “strategic hamlet” and urging a shift toward an independent foreign policy rooted in national interests.

A Spanish column highlighted Spain’s low defence‑budget target of 2.1 % of GDP under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, contrasted with higher spending plans in Germany, the UK and Poland, and noted U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of European allies and his remarks about Spain’s role in the summit.