NATO’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, concluded this week with contradictions at every turn. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to sever trade with one ally and discussed annexing territory from another, yet declared the gathering a triumph of unity. Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, showered the American leader with flattery throughout the two-day event, calling him a “great leader” and describing his defense spending push as a “staggering” achievement. The summit showcased the delicate diplomatic dance required to manage Trump’s unpredictable approach to transatlantic relations. Despite the turmoil, NATO leaders renewed their ironclad commitment to Article 5, the alliance’s mutual defense pledge.

Trump directed threats at Spain over defense spending and reignited his feud with Denmark over Greenland during the summit. He expressed disappointment with NATO’s response to the U.S. conflict with Iran. Yet in his closing remarks, Trump told reporters something entirely different. “There was a lot of love in that room today, a lot of unity,” he said while standing beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The transformation from grievance to praise caught observers off guard, marking a stark shift from his earlier complaints.

Scott Bessent, the U.S. treasury secretary, explained the harmonious tone by noting that European leaders credited Trump with saving NATO. The president’s approach alternated between criticism and celebration, creating uncertainty about America’s commitment to the alliance. Nevertheless, NATO leaders issued a declaration affirming that their Article 5 pledge remains ironclad and that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. This commitment stood firm despite Trump’s contradictory messaging throughout the summit.

Flattery Strategy Draws Criticism From Security Experts

Rutte employed strategic flattery during a bilateral meeting with Trump on Wednesday, referring to him as “dear Donald” and crediting him with securing an additional $1.2 trillion in defense spending from Canada and European nations. The NATO chief coined the term “Trump trillion” to describe this increase, which he attributes to Trump’s two terms in office. Rutte interjected when Trump criticized former U.S. presidents for failing to increase NATO defense commitments, telling him he succeeded where Eisenhower and others failed. Trump responded simply: “That’s why I like him.”

This approach represents a continuation of Rutte’s diplomatic strategy since he became NATO chief. The former Dutch prime minister, who led the Netherlands for a significant tenure, built a reputation as a consensus builder. He previously visited the Oval Office and presented Trump with charts detailing increased spending by NATO nations. Marion Messmer, program director for international security at Chatham House, told CNBC that no single person can manage Trump over the long term. She suggested Europe should focus on strengthening its own security instead of relying on personal diplomacy.

“While Rutte manages to remain in Trump’s good books with his mix of flattery and submissiveness, other NATO leaders are increasingly irritated with what they perceive to be tasteless behaviour,” Messmer said via email.

The flattery strategy raises questions about whether it delivers tangible benefits for the alliance beyond keeping Trump appeased. Other NATO leaders reportedly find Rutte’s deferential approach distasteful, creating tension within the alliance about how to handle the unpredictable American president. The summit highlighted these divisions while simultaneously demonstrating NATO’s ability to maintain unity despite internal disagreements about diplomatic tactics.

Iran Conflict Dominates Security Discussions

Trump ordered retaliatory strikes on Iran shortly after leaving a NATO leaders’ dinner, an unusual timing that underscored his frustration with the alliance. He complained bitterly that allies failed to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open during the conflict. The president declared a recently agreed ceasefire with Iran essentially over after U.S. forces struck Iranian targets. Trump asserted that Iran violated the memorandum of understanding by attacking vessels in the strategically vital strait, which the agreement supposedly reopened.

“We have a score to settle,” Trump said during an extended monologue about past Iranian actions. He invoked Iranian manufacture of roadside bombs that killed and wounded numerous U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The president wrote off the possibility of agreement with Iran’s leadership, despite having praised the country’s leaders as more reasonable following recent developments. This reversal came just two weeks after Trump hailed his deal as necessary to prevent an economic disaster on the scale of the Great Depression if the strait remained closed.

Rutte refused to rule out a future NATO role in the Iran conflict, despite the alliance’s traditional focus on defending the transatlantic area. “Obviously Iran is outside NATO territory,” he acknowledged, adding that NATO would be willing to play a role if helpful. This openness likely pleased Trump, though it represents a significant departure from NATO’s defensive posture. The alliance prides itself on protecting member territory, and its last venture outside-into Afghanistan-ended in chaos, making allies reluctant to engage in another war beyond their borders.

Ukraine Receives Major Defense Technology Commitment

Trump announced the U.S. will license its Patriot air defense systems for overseas manufacture to help Ukraine counter Russian missile attacks. “We’ll give them the right to make Patriots. We’ll show them how to do it,” Trump declared. This represents a huge coup for Ukraine, which desperately needs the technology as its war with Russia extends beyond four years. The decision marks a significant shift in American support for Ukrainian defense capabilities.

Trump also spoke positively about Zelenskyy during the summit, a notable change from their previously tense relationship. “He has done an amazing job,” Trump said, discussing prospects for a deal to end Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. The president suggested there were “good stories to tell” about potential peace negotiations. This warmer tone represented a transformation from earlier encounters, including a notorious public confrontation in the Oval Office where Trump had berated the Ukrainian leader.

The defense technology transfer could fundamentally alter Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian attacks. Patriot systems represent some of the most advanced air defense capabilities available, and domestic production would ensure a steady supply without depending on American shipments. Trump’s announcement came amid broader discussions about NATO’s role in supporting Ukraine and whether the alliance should deepen its involvement in the conflict.

Summit Reveals Alliance’s Fragile Unity

Trump’s simultaneous praise and threats, combined with Rutte’s strategic flattery and renewed alliance commitments amid presidential grievances, painted a complex picture of NATO’s current state. These contradictions revealed the fragile nature of transatlantic unity under an unpredictable American president. The declaration affirming Article 5 stood firm, yet Trump’s rhetoric about Greenland and trade cuts raised questions about his commitment to mutual defense principles. The summit demonstrated NATO’s ability to weather internal storms while maintaining its core mission.

Rutte declared the summit’s message simple, stating that NATO delivers. He said U.S. allies warmly welcomed Trump’s leadership, a characterization that clashed with the president’s earlier insistence on American control of Greenland and threats against Spain. The secretary general’s optimistic framing contrasted sharply with the tensions visible throughout the two-day gathering. Security experts remain skeptical that personal diplomacy alone can sustain the alliance through Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy approach.

The Ankara summit ultimately revealed NATO’s resilience and vulnerability in equal measure. Leaders maintained their mutual defense commitment while navigating Trump’s demands for increased spending and his territorial ambitions. The alliance emerged with its formal structure intact but facing questions about whether flattery-based diplomacy can sustain transatlantic relations over the long term. Europe’s path forward may require less reliance on managing Trump and more focus on independent security capabilities, as Chatham House experts suggest.

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