Ankara: US President Donald Trump will attend the NATO heads of state summit in Ankara in July, as announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio emphasized the significance of the upcoming meeting, describing it as the "most important meeting" in the alliance's history, highlighting the need to address and rectify certain issues within NATO.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio confirmed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the United States remains committed to its membership in NATO, despite the necessity for "significant changes" that are expected to be deliberated at the summit scheduled for July 7-8 in the Turkish capital.

Rubio reiterated the administration's longstanding perspective that Western European countries have historically relied on the US for defense, neglecting their own defense spending while maintaining substantial social safety networks. He emphasized that although the US possesses considerable resources, they are not limitless, underscoring the importance of equitable burden-sharing within the alliance.

Expressing frustration, Rubio highlighted recent incidents where NATO allies denied US military access to their bases during conflicts, specifically mentioning issues during the war with Iran. He pointed out that allies who call for US involvement in European matters, such as the situation in Ukraine, refused cooperation when the US needed to refuel its tankers, leading to President Trump's dissatisfaction with the alliance.

Addressing Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland, Rubio defended the strategic rationale, noting that discussions are ongoing with Denmark and Greenland regarding collective missile defense. He stated that the president believes control over Greenland would simplify defense efforts.