Die Nato-Chefs treffen sich nächste Woche.

NATO leaders will convene in Ankara next week amid ongoing tensions within the alliance. The meeting comes as European members seek to distance themselves from disputes with US President Donald Trump over issues involving Iran and Greenland, while demonstrating their commitment to taking greater responsibility for the continent's defense as Washington reduces its commitments to the alliance.

The summit, scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, aims to highlight the European commitment to increasing defense spending, which is crucial for deterring Russian aggression. Agreements worth tens of billions of dollars on arms procurement are expected to be signed during the summit. Leaders also anticipate pledging continued funding for weapons used in Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will also hold bilateral talks with Trump.

European officials hope that Trump’s strong relationships with Erdogan and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will ensure a smooth summit, but they remain uncertain due to lingering transatlantic tensions stemming from the war with Iran and frequent criticism of Trump by NATO. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump complained that the United States spends money protecting NATO members without receiving any benefit from it. Rutte and other NATO leaders insisted that NATO contributes to the security of the United States itself and emphasized that Europeans are listening to Trump’s longstanding calls to spend more on their own defense.

Rutte stated that the upcoming summit would focus on transforming additional spending into combat-ready capabilities and significantly boosting the European defense industry. “NATO has always been and will continue to be a transatlantic alliance, but we must better balance it,” he said. “In close cooperation with the United States, our European allies, and Canada, we are taking on greater responsibility for conventional defense in Europe.” Rutte previously mentioned that European NATO members and Canada spent $90 billion more on defense in 2025 than the previous year, reaching a total of over $570 billion. Last year in The Hague, NATO leaders agreed to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, surpassing the previous target of 2%, and to invest an additional 1.5% of GDP in broader defense-related investments such as enhancing cyber security.

European officials hope for a repeat of the Helsinki summit, where Trump reaffirmed American commitment to the alliance of 32 countries and its mutual defense agreement under Article 5, praising the leaders. However, the past 12 months have seriously strained the alliance, with Trump threatening to take Greenland from Denmark, a NATO member, and launching a war against Iran without consulting European allies, disrupting the global economy. The United States has also announced troop withdrawals from Europe, reduced forces allocated to NATO defense plans—including aircraft carriers, refueling aircraft, fighter jets, and drones—and initiated a six-month review of American military presence on the continent. An unnamed European diplomat said, “The alliance is still alive, but it has suffered blows.”

The war with Iran increases uncertainty ahead of the NATO summit. European officials are concerned that the Iranian conflict could overshadow the summit, especially if the current fragile ceasefire breaks down or if Trump vents his frustration on Europeans for not doing more to support American military operations. Trump suggested this means the United States does not need to fulfill its obligation to assist a NATO member under attack. NATO officials also noted that most allies have fulfilled their obligations allowing the United States to use their airspace and bases, despite the war being highly unpopular in Europe and many European leaders not being involved in decisions regarding the war against Iran.

Russia is seeking drone operators for the defense of Moscow, with no prior experience required. The largest Russian internet job site, HeadHunter, posted an advertisement for drone operators participating in the protection of Moscow’s airspace, stating that previous experience is not necessary. The ad mentions a volunteer unit called Combat Reserve Forces tasked with “protecting the safety of the capital using modern technical solutions and monitoring systems.” It states that workers will use high-tech equipment designed for city space protection, including preparing for flights and operating drones, conducting reconnaissance missions, and performing flight operations for data collection day and night. Candidates only need basic technical skills and a desire to advance in this field. However, the salary—initially set at $1,950 per month—is lower than the average salary in Moscow, which exceeds $2,600. A reviewer from the employer, signed as “Leading Inspector,” wrote that it is an “excellent and connected team” with good advancement opportunities, a positive work environment, the possibility of choosing jobs based on personal interests, and support from superiors. He added that the salary depends on performance, so it is possible to increase earnings. Reuters was unable to determine when the ad was first published, but it was updated on July 1st. In June, Ukraine intensified drone attacks on Moscow, including two attacks within three days targeting a major oil refinery located inside the city ring road. The Kremlin stated that measures are being taken to strengthen Russia’s defenses against such attacks. Russia carried out the deadliest attack on Kyiv this year this week, killing at least 30 people.

Ukrainian drones hit industrial and energy targets across Russia. According to Reuters, Ukrainian drone strikes overnight hit industrial and energy facilities throughout Russia, resulting in one death and damage to multiple installations and two empty oil tankers. Governor of the Russian Saratov region, Roman Busargin, stated that one person died in the Ukrainian drone attack, civilian industrial facilities were damaged, and several people were injured. In the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, along the Volga River, Ukrainian drones damaged facilities in the city of Nizhnekamsk, according to local authorities. It was not specified which targets were hit, but the city houses a large oil refinery, and nearby Yelabuga has drone manufacturing plants. Russia has faced serious fuel shortages in certain regions in recent months after Ukraine intensified attacks on Russian refineries and began targeting objectives further from its territory. In the southern Rostov region, Governor Yuri Slyusar said two tankers were damaged in the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov. He added that the ships were heading to Rostov-on-the-Don, were empty, and two people were injured in the attack. The Ukrainian army confirmed the attacks, stating that nine such tankers were hit in the Sea of Azov. The Sea of Azov is an important supply route for Russian forces on Crimea and other areas of southern Ukraine under Russian control. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it shot down 415 Ukrainian drones in the last 12 hours. Russia has regularly attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the course of the five-year war, causing significant power outages and heating shortages during winter.

NATO member states of the EU have expressed their stance: presented defense agreements valued at at least $50 billion. The NATO summit in Ankara takes place amid new tensions within the alliance following a year marked by wars and disagreements that have once again opened questions about the future of NATO and the role of the United States in European security. NATO members aim to show that they have increased defense expenditures. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that European countries have achieved a “remarkable” increase in defense spending, according to Reuters. Ahead of the arrival of American President Donald Trump, Rutte called for stronger changes in the sector and warned about the growth of Russian military spending, as well as threats posed by China, North Korea, and Iran. “We don’t have the luxury of time. We need capacities now to ensure that we remain prepared. The security situation demands it,” Rutte said. “The hum of machines must be transformed into a roar.” Among the announced agreements, estimated to be worth at least $50 billion, include the purchase of surveillance drones from the American company Northrop Grumman and the acquisition of fighter jets from the Swedish company Saab. The European defense industry has long faced criticism for fragmentation, bureaucracy, and rivalry among countries and manufacturers, making Europe largely dependent on American military equipment. However, it seems that this may change in the future. European allies reject Trump’s accusations. Although Trump often accused them of not participating in resolving the Middle East issue, European officials emphasize that they have fulfilled their obligations to the United States, including the use of air space and bases, although they note that they were not included in decisions related to the war against Iran. The United States simultaneously announced the withdrawal of part of its forces from Europe and initiated a six-month review of military presence on the continent. At the summit, further support for Ukraine is expected, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seeks additional anti-air defense systems. The importance of the situation is further emphasized after Russia conducted a large rocket and drone attack on the Kiev region on Monday, in which at least 28 people were killed according to available information.

Russia claims that Ukraine launched a massive drone attack. Russia announced that Ukraine had launched a large-scale drone attack on Russian territory ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Turkey. Moscow claims that the purpose of the attack was to demonstrate military capabilities to Western allies and warns that it will respond with stronger strikes. “This attack was an attempt by Zelensky to demonstrate to his European sponsors, including the United Kingdom, his readiness to attack civilian targets in Russia using resources financed by them,” stated the ministry in its statement. According to the same statement, the main targets of the attack were civilian fuel and energy infrastructure and logistics facilities in Leningrad, Bryansk, Belgorod, Yaroslavl, Kaluga, and Kursk regions, as well as on the Crimean Peninsula. The ministry added that some damage to civilian facilities will be repaired. Moscow announces a strong response. The ministry also confirmed that Russia carried