Donald Trump's unpredictable behaviour at the Nato summit in Turkey left allied leaders guessing, as he veered from lambasting fellow members over defence spending to lauding the alliance's cohesion. The Guardian's defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, reports from Ankara on how Nato emerged from the chaos.
Trump's Mixed Messages at the Summit
At the summit, Trump initially criticised Nato allies for not meeting the 2% of GDP defence spending target, a recurring theme of his presidency. However, in a sudden shift, he praised the alliance's unity, leaving many delegates perplexed. According to Sabbagh, Trump's yo-yo diplomacy created an atmosphere of uncertainty, with allies unsure of the US commitment to collective defence.
Impact on Nato's Cohesion
The summit, intended to showcase Nato's strength, instead highlighted internal tensions. Trump's outbursts and subsequent reassurances did little to soothe concerns about US reliability. Sabbagh noted that while Nato formally reaffirmed its principles, the episode underscored the challenges posed by an unpredictable American leader. European allies are now grappling with how to manage relations with the US under a potential second Trump term.
Despite the turmoil, Nato leaders managed to agree on key issues, including increased defence spending by some members and continued support for Ukraine. However, the summit's legacy may be a lingering sense of vulnerability within the alliance.
