US President Donald Trump openly criticized NATO allies on Wednesday during the alliance’s summit in Ankara, as repercussions from the administration’s military actions against Iran threatened to dominate the proceedings.
Amid escalating tensions following an overnight exchange between US and Iranian forces, Trump announced that the Iran ceasefire had ended, then sharply rebuked NATO members that declined to support his campaign against Tehran.
He also reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Greenland, describing European opposition to the idea as “a big problem.”
“I’m very upset with NATO… because of what they did with Greenland, and… because of the fact that they didn’t want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that’s Iran,” he stated.
Trump particularly singled out Spain for censure, labeling it “a terrible partner in NATO.”
“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore,” he said, reviving a contentious dispute that also involves Madrid’s defense spending and prompting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut it off.”
He further intensified sensitivities by reiterating his desire for Greenland, a territory of Denmark, which is a NATO member.
This January 18, 2025 Hand Out image taken by the Danish Defence Forces show Danish Navy personel onboard ocean patrol vessel F357 Thetis wave to colleagues on the French Navy frigate Bretagne at sea in the North Atlantic as part of the NATO “Arctic Endurance” exercise. AFP – BRIAN MARCHER 
“Greenland is a big problem for us,” he told reporters, emphasizing that it was “very important for the United States, but it’s not important for Denmark.”
“We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States… It doesn’t help Denmark, but it helps us.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had earlier delivered a blunt response to Trump’s comments from the previous day, stating: “Greenland is, of course, not for sale.”
Allies anxious
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had previously sought to reinforce confidence in Washington’s “complete commitment” to the military alliance as uneasy member states prepared for a direct meeting with the US leader.
Upon arriving in Turkey on Tuesday, Trump lavished praise on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighting their “chemistry” in remarks that stood in stark contrast to his lingering friction with European partners.
The summit occurs at a precarious moment for the 77-year-old transatlantic alliance, with Trump pressing members to fulfill pledges to increase defense spending as Washington reduces its footprint in Europe.
On the eve of the crucial session, the alliance released data indicating that core defense expenditure by European members had climbed 11 percent in 2026, reaching $634 billion, up from $571 billion the prior year.
Eager to avoid friction with Trump, NATO allies announced tens of billions of dollars in new arms contracts on Tuesday to demonstrate progress on boosting defense outlays.
“Yesterday was a great success,” Rutte said Wednesday, noting allies were “delivering” by assuming greater responsibility for continental defense amid the Russian threat.
“This is a big win for the American president.”
With NATO aiming to direct the US leader’s focus toward rising defense budgets, stalled efforts to end the Ukraine war returned to the agenda, with Trump asserting both sides wished to halt hostilities.
“I think they both want to make a deal,” said Trump, who was scheduled to meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky later Wednesday.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to journalists during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka – Evgeniy Maloletka 
With negotiations stalled, Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin before traveling to Turkey and planned to “follow up” with him after meeting Zelensky, according to a US official.
Europe and Canada are expected to pledge continued military aid to Ukraine amounting to 70 billion euros ($80 billion) annually in both 2026 and 2027.
Trump is also set to confer with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as part of efforts to rebuild the nation’s international standing following years of civil war.
The meeting follows a day after the Syrian leader received French President Emmanuel Macron for a landmark state visit that was overshadowed by twin bomb attacks in Damascus that injured 18 people.
Although Trump remains irritated by restrictions some allies imposed on US forces’ use of bases at the outset of the Iran conflict, he offered Erdogan a concession, saying he would consider selling Turkey F-35 fighter jets and rolling back sanctions.
Ankara was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring a Russian defense system, and has since sought reinstatement and the lifting of US sanctions that have strained relations and impeded Turkish defense initiatives.