NATO has announced that its next summit in 2026 will be held in Türkiye, marking a key moment in the alliance’s strategic calendar. The decision was included in the final statement adopted by the heads of state and government from all 32 member countries at this year’s summit.
Alongside the announcement, NATO leaders endorsed a new collective defense spending target, committing to allocate at least 5% of their national GDP to defense and security-related expenditures by 2035. The spending plan is presented as a response to what the alliance describes as long-term security threats, including Russia’s actions and the ongoing threat of terrorism.
According to the document, a minimum of 3.5% of GDP is to be directed toward core defense requirements and capability goals defined by NATO. The remaining 1.5% will focus on strengthening critical infrastructure protection, civil preparedness, resilience, and the defense industrial base.
The spending commitments will be reviewed in 2029. Contributions to Ukraine’s defense will be factored into each country’s overall spending assessments, reaffirming continued allied support for Kyiv.
The statement also outlines a plan to intensify defense industrial cooperation across the Atlantic. Member states pledged to work toward removing trade barriers and to use existing partnerships to strengthen defense industry collaboration within the alliance.
