The shadow of Donald Trump loomed large over the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, as he veered wildly between scathing attacks on his allies and professions of affection. The mercurial former US President's mixed signals sparked alarm among European leaders, who feared that his unpredictable nature could destabilise the Western alliance.
Trump's erratic behaviour was on full display during a morning monologue, where he aired grievances against NATO members for their defence spending and perceived lack of support for US actions against Iran. His criticism of Britain, in particular, highlighted the delicate balance between sovereign control and alliance obligations, as he chastised the UK for not allowing the US to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for potential bombing missions in Iran.
The private meeting with 32 NATO leaders, where Trump reportedly refrained from his earlier criticisms, seemed to mark a shift towards greater unity within the alliance. His subsequent public statement, where he claimed to feel "tremendous love" and spoke of "unification", was followed by a rambling press conference that largely avoided NATO topics.
The summit's conclusion with a reaffirmation of NATO's foundational principle – an "ironclad commitment" to Article 5, which stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all – was seen as a significant victory for the alliance. However, the absence of a confirmed date for the next leaders' summit, originally slated for Albania, adds to the uncertainty surrounding NATO's cohesion.
The European leaders had been bracing themselves for Trump's unpredictable mood, particularly following a dinner the previous evening. Their concerns were realised when he launched into a lengthy monologue that attacked Iran's leadership and expressed dissatisfaction with several individual NATO members. This unpredictability continues to be a source of anxiety for many European nations, who fear it could embolden adversaries and undermine collective deterrence.