All projects

Countdown to the NATO Summit in Ankara: Challenges, expectations, goals

NATO leaders will meet in Ankara on 7–8 July 2026 at a critical moment for European and Euro-Atlantic security. For more than 75 years, NATO has been central to the defence of Europe and remains the cornerstone of collective security for its 32 members. In the fifth year of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Alliance will play a key role in defining the future of European security, yet its core mission remains unchanged: to safeguard the freedom and security of all allies, including by deterring further Russian aggression against sovereign countries in its neighbourhood. Yet in recent months, the Alliance has come under strain, including due to shifts in US policy that go beyond hardened demands to strengthen the European pillar of NATO.

The Summit’s priorities are expected to include:

Defence and deterrence planning;
Defence spending targets and burden-sharing;
Further assistance to Ukraine, including delivering equipment, funding mechanisms and long-term resilience;
The future direction of the Alliance.

Through a series of activities, this European Policy Centre (EPC) project aims to inform debate and raise awareness about the latest developments in NATO security and defence policy, while also fostering cooperation among European and transatlantic think tanks working on these topics. The project:

Contributes to a better understanding of the NATO 2026 Summit agenda and context by identifying and analysing the main challenges facing the Alliance;
Assesses NATO’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and identifies the steps required to ensure that Ukraine – and Europe more broadly – remains secure, whole and free;
Develops policy recommendations to help the Alliance address current and future challenges as NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving European and global security environment, including cohesion challenges;
Strengthens the knowledge community working on these issues, including by bridging gaps between NATO and EU analytical communities;
Contributes to the debate on enhancing NATO–EU cooperation and the future of European security governance;
Provides EPC members with access to discussions and findings from the project, including analysis of decisions taken at the Summit.