Trump Pushes Europe to Take Lead, Threatens Further Troop Cuts Amid NATO Summit

President Donald Trump has once again shaken the foundations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the ongoing Ankara Summit, threatening further significant reductions of US troops in Europe and labeling the alliance's relationship with the US as 'one-sided.' His outspoken disappointment stems largely from what he perceives as a lack of reciprocal support from European allies, particularly concerning their hesitant involvement in the recent 'war in Iran.' This tough stance comes as the Pentagon is already undertaking a major review of its military presence on the continent, signaling a potential shift to pre-2022 troop levels. The stakes are incredibly high, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier announcing a six-month review of troop numbers, aiming for Europe to take primary responsibility for its own defense. While European nations and Canada have indeed boosted their defense spending – projecting an 11% increase in core defense expenditure for 2026, reaching $634 billion – Trump insists it's not enough, citing the US's disproportionately higher contributions. His repeated questioning of NATO core mutual defense pact, Article 5, and his renewed demand for the US to acquire Greenland from Denmark, further highlight the deep cracks forming in the transatlantic alliance. As the Ankara Summit concludes, the focus will shift to how European leaders respond to Trump's ultimatums and the concrete actions taken regarding troop deployments. Observers will be watching for any further announcements of withdrawals, particularly from Germany, where a reduction of 5,000 troops is already planned. The ongoing push for European allies to meet increased defense spending targets, set at The Hague Summit in 2025, will continue to be a critical measure of the alliance's future shape and the readiness of Europe to truly lead its own defense.