NATO is considering ending the practice of holding annual summits, Reuters reported, citing sources.
The agency’s interlocutors stressed that NATO countries want to avoid “potentially tense” meetings with the participation of US President Donald Trump. “It is better to have fewer summits than bad summits,” one source told Reuters. – “We already have a lot of work, and we know what we have to do.”
One option now being considered is to hold summits every two years. The other option is to cancel the summit in 2028, when Trump will be in his final year as president.
Reuters indicates that the final decision will be up to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
NATO summits have been held annually since 2021, and were previously held every two years. The next meeting is scheduled for early July in Türkiye.
Donald Trump has regularly expressed his dissatisfaction with NATO allies and has threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance unless other countries increase their defense spending. Recently, his relations with the allies have become more tense due to their refusal to support the war with Iran.