North Atlantic Treaty Organization Considers Ending Annual Summits

NATO is considering ending its practice of holding annual summits, a move largely influenced by the desire to avoid potentially tense encounters with Donald Trump, especially in his final year in office. Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly criticized NATO members for low defense spending and insufficient assistance in military operations against Iran. This has led to Donald Trump questioning the mutual defense pact and even threatening to leave the alliance. Some members are pushing for summits every two years, with the 2027 summit in Albania potentially in autumn and no summit in 2028, the year of the U.S. presidential election. While Donald Trump is a significant factor, broader considerations such as the desire for less drama and more effective long-term planning are also at play. Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO secretary general, and Phyllis Berry of the Atlantic Council have also commented on the need for fewer, more productive summits.