Turkish National Defence Minister Yasar Guler has said the upcoming NATO Leaders’ Summit in Ankara will mark a significant turning point in shaping the alliance’s future strategic direction. He said the gathering would demonstrate NATO’s determination to adapt to an increasingly complex global security environment.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels after attending the NATO defence ministers’ meeting and the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, Guler outlined Türkiye’s expectations ahead of the July 7-8 summit. He said discussions focused on NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, continued support for Ukraine and emerging security challenges.
Guler said he briefed fellow defence ministers on Türkiye’s contributions as one of NATO’s top five force contributors. Moreover, he highlighted the country’s progress toward meeting the alliance’s five percent defence spending target and its preparations for hosting the summit.
The defence minister described Türkiye’s selection as summit host as a reflection of its military capabilities, operational experience and commitment to collective security. He also said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership and diplomatic engagement would play a defining role during the high-level meeting.
Furthermore, Guler stressed that NATO now faces a broader range of security threats, including cyberattacks, terrorism, hybrid warfare, energy security risks and regional instability. Therefore, he urged allies to strengthen collective deterrence and defence capabilities.
He also highlighted the importance of Türkiye’s domestic defence industry, saying indigenous military systems enhance NATO interoperability and reinforce the alliance’s overall deterrence. Additionally, a Defence Industry Forum scheduled alongside the summit will promote greater cooperation among allied nations.
Guler said Ankara expects the summit to reaffirm NATO’s commitment to collective defence under Article 5 while encouraging members to meet defence spending and capability goals. He added that Türkiye, NATO’s second-largest military, continues to play an active role in alliance operations and is preparing to assume command of the Allied Reaction Force, underscoring its strategic importance within NATO.
