The United States president’s confrontational stance is prompting NATO leaders to consider scaling back the frequency of their annual summits, Reuters reported. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the alliance, labeling it a “paper tiger” and accusing member states of “free‑loading” after they declined to support a US‑Israeli bombing campaign against Iran. His remarks have heightened tensions at several recent NATO gatherings.
A European diplomat quoted by Reuters said, “Better to have fewer summits than bad summits,” reflecting growing frustration among allies. The Atlantic Council, NATO’s informal think‑tank, also suggested that reducing the number of high‑profile meetings could “dial down the drama.” In a separate proposal, the council outlined four measures to improve the upcoming summit in Türkiye, including a military parade that would appeal to Trump’s preferences.
Trump’s contentious behavior at NATO events dates back to his first summit in 2017, when he was filmed pushing Montenegro’s prime minister, Duško Marković, aside during a photo op. In 2018 he threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance, a pressure tactic he has repeatedly invoked. He left the 2019 summit early and later described Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “two‑faced” after a private remark about Trump was overheard.
Last year, Trump pressed NATO members to allocate 5 % of gross domestic product to defence spending. While the target includes 3.5 % for direct military expenditure, the remaining 1.5 % can be used for broader defence‑related projects, such as civil infrastructure.
Other leaders have also contributed to a more theatrical atmosphere. French President Emmanuel Macron called the alliance “brain‑dead” before the 70th‑anniversary summit in London, a meeting that Trump abruptly left. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has used recent summits to criticize allies for what he perceives as insufficient weapons support, a stance highlighted at the 2023 Vilnius summit where his military‑styled attire stood out amid formal diplomatic dress.
Since its inception in 1949, NATO has convened 12 times up to 1991. Annual summits have become routine only since 2021, with two emergency meetings added in 2022 over the Ukraine conflict.
The possibility of fewer NATO summits underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining alliance cohesion amid divergent national interests and high‑profile political disputes. Stakeholders will watch closely how the Türkiye summit proceeds and whether it influences future scheduling decisions.
