NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday projected optimism that European NATO allies and Canada are "on a trajectory to equalize their defense spending" with the United States, as President Donald Trump continues to lambaste allies for allegedly spending too little.
Rutte's remarks at Turkey's presidential palace in Ankara come ahead of a critical two-day leaders' summit starting Tuesday in the Turkish capital, where discussions are expected to focus on whether allies can demonstrate progress that pledges on defense are translating into results.
On spending among European allies and Canada, Rutte said that "the evidence we see so far is impressive."
Projections show the allies will invest a combined $258 billion (€226 billion) more in defense in 2025 and 2026 than they have in previous years, he said.
Rutte has called on all NATO members to show they are meeting defense spending commitments Image: Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu/picture alliance
