World leaders convened for the traditional NATO summit group photo in Ankara, marking the opening of the alliance’s high-stakes summit. With a packed agenda ahead, discussions are expected to center heavily on the war in Ukraine, Iran’s regional role, and member states’ defense spending.
Formal Welcome and Group Portrait
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte jointly welcomed the assembled leaders at the presidential complex in Ankara. Following the official welcome ceremony, the leaders posed for the customary ‘family photo’ — a symbolic moment that precedes formal summit deliberations.
In the front row, Secretary General Rutte stood flanked by President Erdoğan on one side and former U.S. President Donald Trump on the other. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stood beside Erdoğan, while French President Emmanuel Macron — recognizable by his aviator-style glasses — stood just behind him. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood next to Trump, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis positioned in the second row directly behind them.
Trump’s Sharp Criticism of NATO
Prior to the summit’s official start, Trump voiced strong criticism of the alliance during remarks made alongside Secretary General Rutte. He described himself as “very angry” with NATO, citing two main grievances: its stance on Greenland and its response to Iran.
“I’m very angry with NATO. I’m not happy with NATO because of what they did with Greenland, and I’m not happy with NATO because they wouldn’t help us against the leading state sponsor of terrorism — Iran,” Trump said.
He emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance to the United States — calling it vital “for the protection of the world, not just the U.S.” — and criticized NATO members for blocking U.S. efforts to acquire the territory. Referencing World War II history, he claimed that after Nazi Germany invaded Denmark in under a day, the U.S. was asked to take over Greenland — only to later “foolishly” return it.
Earlier this year, Trump’s suggestion — widely interpreted as a threat — that the U.S. might seize Greenland by force sent shockwaves across the Atlantic Alliance. Though he later backtracked in early January, announcing a framework agreement with Rutte on Greenland, the details of that arrangement remain undisclosed. In response, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated in Ankara: “Greenland is not for sale.”
Spain Called a ‘Lost Cause’
Minutes before his NATO remarks, Trump labeled Spain a “terrible ally” in the alliance and a “lost cause.” He also announced plans to sever “all trade relations” with the country — though no official policy changes have followed.