NATO summit in Ankara: 12 countries agree missile project, Trump meets Zelensky
At the NATO summit in Ankara, 12 countries agreed to a new long-range missile project, and President Trump held talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky on the war.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
NATO summit in Ankara: 12 countries agree missile project, Trump meets Zelensky
Leaders from the 32 member states of NATO gathered in Ankara, Turkey, for their annual summit, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two-day meeting was dominated by defence spending, the war in Ukraine, and tensions with the United States over Iran.
12 countries launch long-range missile project
A group of 12 NATO countries announced a new joint project to develop a long-range precision strike missile, known as the Deep Precision Strike Project. The British government said the project would cost more than $50 billion over the next 10 years and is intended to strike targets around 300 kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy. It is being billed as one of NATO's most advanced weapons and is designed to protect Europe. The announcement came as the alliance seeks to boost its own defence industrial base and reduce reliance on the United States.
Trump arrives, criticises allies over Iran
US President Donald Trump received a warm welcome from President Erdogan, who greeted him at the airport. Trump confirmed he would lift US sanctions on Turkey that had been in place since 2019 and said Washington would consider selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. However, Trump quickly turned his fire on other NATO allies, accusing them of failing to support the US in its war against Iran. He singled out the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. "We did something in Iran. We don't need anybody's help. I didn't even want their help. But before I asked, they said they wouldn't be there," Trump said. He also revived his demand for the US to take control of Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark, drawing a sharp rebuke from Danish and Icelandic leaders.
Starmer's final summit
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended his final NATO summit as outgoing leader. He faced questions at home over his defence investment plan, which critics say does not provide a credible route to meeting NATO's 3.5% spending target by 2035. Starmer said he had a good relationship with Trump and that they would stay in touch. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended Starmer, noting that the UK had committed an extra 15 billion pounds on defence. The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of sending a "powerless" prime minister to the summit with a plan that was "not fit for purpose."
Zelensky pleads for air defence
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit and held talks with Trump. He pressed allies to provide more air defence systems, particularly Patriot missile interceptors, as Ukraine faces a dire shortage. "While this war continues, please help us get more air defence missiles. This is our top priority right now," Zelensky said. He described the lack of interceptors as "absurd" and "nonsense." The appeal came after a weekend Russian missile attack on Kiev killed more than 20 people. Zelensky also met with other leaders to discuss a potential deal to allow Ukraine to manufacture its own Patriot missiles.
Iran conflict overshadows summit
The summit was overshadowed by the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Overnight, the US launched strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran retaliated with missiles and drones at American bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump's criticism of NATO allies for not joining his war of choice against Iran created a visible fissure within the alliance. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte tried to project unity, calling for a "transatlantic defence industrial revolution" and urging members to "pull their weight." Despite the tensions, Trump said at the close of the summit that there had been a "great sense of unity" among leaders.
Other developments
- The summit also saw discussions on the situation in Syria, where explosions in Damascus injured 18 people during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
- Prince Harry was in London awaiting the result of a court case against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
- The USA was knocked out of the World Cup after controversy over a red card involving one of its star strikers.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC NEWS | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trump singled out the UK for not supporting the US in the Iran war and said the UK offered help only after the war was over. | · | ||||
| Russia launched a major attack on Kyiv, killing 20-50 people. | · | · | |||
| US President Donald Trump attended the NATO summit and criticized other members for not spending enough on defence. | · | · | |||
| Ukraine's President Zelensky expressed anger at the lack of interceptors for Patriot missile systems. | · | · | · | ||
| 12 countries will spend more than $50 billion over 10 years on a new long-range missile project called the Deep Precision Strike Project. | · | · | · | · | |
| Conservative leader Kemi Benok criticized the Labour government's defence investment plan, saying it leaves a £5 billion black hole and lacks a clear route to spending targets. | · | · | · | · | |
| Donald Trump is expected to hold talks with President Zelensky later at the summit. | · | · | · | · | |
| Iran retaliated by firing 85 missiles and drones at Bahrain and Kuwait, targeting US air bases. | · | · | · | · | |
| NATO leaders agreed to commit 70 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine next year. | · | · | · | · | |
| NATO Secretary General defended UK Prime Minister Starmer, citing his defence spending commitments. | · | · | · | · | |
| NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte unveiled a $40 billion wave of military projects. | · | · | · | · | |
| The UK spent 2.3% of GDP on defence last year, short of the 3.5% target. | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on the broader geopolitical tensions within NATO, particularly Trump's criticism of allies over Iran and the UK's defence spending. It gave significant airtime to military analyst Brendan Kearney, who discussed the possibility of Europe filling the gap left by the US and the challenges of providing Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The tone was analytical and slightly concerned about alliance unity.
- “We lack sufficient defensive capabilities. This is particularly true of the missiles for the Patriot system. It is simply nonsense.”
- “I think NATO has really stood up here over the last year with increasing dramatically its contribution to the organisation itself.”
- “The big fear is that the US could accelerate its drawdown of forces away from Europe and towards Indochina, the whole South China Sea, etc.”
Sky News coverage heavily emphasised the domestic UK political angle, with extensive quotes from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch attacking Prime Minister Starmer's defence spending plan. It also highlighted Trump's criticism of Spain and the Greenland row. The tone was more partisan and focused on the political fallout for the UK government.
- “We are sending an outgoing prime minister to that NATO summit who is completely powerless and he is taking with him a defence investment plan which he knows is not fit for purpose”
- “He said, no, we'll help after the war is over. I said, I don't need that kind of help.”
- “Donald Trump has come in. He's upended the agenda.”
BBC ONE West provided a more concise, straight news summary of the summit, focusing on the key developments: Starmer's arrival, Mark Rutte's opening speech, and the defence spending debate. It included a segment on the UK's social care commission, indicating a broader domestic news mix. The tone was neutral and factual.
- “I'm asking you to take a leap and Show our people that we are ready and capable to protect them anywhere at any time”
- “He is expected to face tough questions. Yes I mean by a quirk of the alphabet He will be sitting as head of the United Kingdom or the head of the deli UK delegation Right next to President Trump”
Channel 4 focused on the power dynamics at the summit, portraying Trump as a dominant figure and Starmer as a diminished leader. It highlighted the human cost of the war in Ukraine with a story about a 91-year-old woman killed in a Russian missile strike. The tone was critical of Trump's behaviour and sympathetic to Ukraine.
- “Less visiting dignitary attending a summit, more court of King Donald gracing a grateful alliance with his presence.”
- “While this war continues, please help us get more air defence missiles. This is our top priority right now.”
- “The leaders of NATO are meeting today. If you were sitting around that table, what would you say to them about the war in Ukraine?”
ITV1's coverage was heavily focused on the personal and political dynamics between Trump and Starmer, portraying Starmer as a lonely figure at his final summit. It highlighted Trump's dig about the UK not allowing use of Diego Garcia for the Iran war. The tone was slightly sympathetic to Starmer and noted that Trump eventually praised unity.
- “The United Kingdom wouldn't let us use the island for two weeks. And I'm not happy with NATO because of the fact that they didn't want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that's Iran.”
- “I do think it's important for the British prime minister to have a good relationship with the president of the United States. I'm glad that that's what I've been able to achieve.”
- “The loneliness of the long-distance politician whose race is almost run.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.