Starmer: NATO Emerges 'Stronger and More United' from Ankara Summit

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) emerged from its two-day summit in Ankara stronger and more unified. The summit, which concluded on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, saw allies reaffirm their commitment to collective defense and acknowledge a greater assumption of responsibility by European nations.

"It has been a good summit. We achieved what we wanted to achieve: unity. It is very important that there is unity, especially given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran," Starmer told reporters. The Prime Minister, who is set to leave office soon after announcing his resignation on June 22, noted that U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed "great satisfaction, celebrating both the spirit and the unity of the meeting."

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It has been a good summit. We achieved what we wanted to achieve: unity. It is very important that there is unity, especially given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.

A significant outcome of the summit was the announcement of a new initiative led by the United Kingdom and joined by eleven other European countries, including Spain. This initiative pledges an investment of $50 billion over the next decade towards developing long-range precision strike capabilities, aimed at bolstering the alliance's defense posture.

Furthermore, the British and Turkish governments signed a new security and defense partnership. This agreement is designed to enhance their military and strategic cooperation in response to the evolving Euro-Atlantic security landscape. The summit underscored a collective resolve among NATO members to adapt to current geopolitical challenges.

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He expressed his great satisfaction, celebrating both the spirit and the unity of the meeting.