At NATO Summit, Erdogan Reaffirms Support for Ukraine and Calls for Increased Pressure on Russia

Turkey’s Security Commitments and Backing for Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: During the NATO summit held in Ankara on July 8, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country’s support for Ukraine and endorsed a new initiative outlining Kyiv’s priority needs. He stressed the importance of applying diplomatic pressure on Russia to end the war, noting that Turkey is leveraging its communication channels to push Moscow toward peace.

At the summit, Erdogan announced plans to raise Turkey’s military spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030. He also highlighted that the country’s security expenditures have already increased to 1.5% of the national budget. The goal of reaching 5% of GDP for defense is now set for 2030-five years earlier than the original 2035 target agreed upon last year in The Hague. Additionally, Ankara has allocated an extra $24 billion for the 'Steel Dome' air defense project.

Collaboration with International Allies

Erdogan also thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his leadership in addressing the Iranian crisis and expressed gratitude to the United States, Spain, Germany, and Italy for deploying additional air defense batteries to protect Turkey. In his speech, he warned the European Union against duplicating NATO’s efforts, stating:

“The maximum benefit from the Union’s security efforts can only be achieved by avoiding unnecessary duplication with NATO. Excluding non-EU allies will waste limited resources and create an artificial division in Europe-something we absolutely do not want.” - Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Furthermore, Erdogan emphasized the importance of a two-state solution for achieving peace in the Middle East and called for stability in Gaza and Lebanon. Turkey, which boasts the largest land army in Europe, also proposed accrediting a center for countering unmanned aerial systems within NATO.

Turkey’s backing of Ukraine at the NATO summit underscores its active role in global security matters, especially amid rising pressure from Russia. The increase in Turkish military spending signals the country’s intent to bolster its defense capabilities, which could impact regional stability. At the same time, Erdogan’s caution against overlapping efforts between the EU and NATO reflects a desire to prevent fractures in Europe’s security framework-a key concern given today’s challenges.

In addition to his remarks at the NATO summit, Erdogan has also expressed Turkey's commitment to facilitating an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. His discussions with international leaders, including German politician Friedrich Merz, underscore Turkey's active role in diplomatic efforts aimed at peace. For more insights on Erdogan's push for resolution in the Russia-Ukraine war, read our detailed coverage here.