Bucking expectations, NATO leaders wrapped up their two-day summit in Ankara on Wednesday by projecting a sense of unity. US President Donald Trump hailed a spirit of “respect” after talks despite months of tensions over defence spending, trade disputes and the war in Ukraine. The emphasis on cohesion was notable after weeks of public disagreements between Washington and several European allies. Trump had repeatedly criticised NATO members over defence spending, European procurement policies and what he saw as insufficient support for the US-Israeli operation against Iran.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Often viewed by allies as an unpredictable presence at NATO summits, Trump instead left Ankara portraying the meeting as both a diplomatic and personal success. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said there had been “a great sense of unity” throughout the summit, adding that allies had “warmly welcomed President Trump’s leadership” in strengthening the alliance. “The message from this summit is simple. NATO unites,” Rutte said, likening the alliance to a family that could have disagreements but ultimately emerged stronger because of them. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the summit had reinforced NATO’s cohesion. “I am returning to Germany with the firm conviction that we have made a major contribution to ensuring that NATO remains united, that it grows stronger, that it becomes more European,” he said.