PNN – NATO is considering not holding its annual summit in 2028, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, a move that could potentially avoid a tense confrontation with the US president in his final year in office.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; the administration of US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized many of NATO’s 31 members, most recently blaming some of them for not providing more assistance in the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Reuters reported on Monday evening: The number of NATO summits has varied throughout the alliance’s 77-year history, but its leaders have met every summer since 2021 and this year will gather in Ankara, the Turkish capital, on July 7 and 8.
A senior European official and five diplomats, all from NATO member countries, told Reuters: Some members are trying to slow down this process. NATO members are looking for fewer stories and sidelines and, in return, better decisions.
A diplomat said: The 2027 summit, scheduled to be held in Albania, will likely take place in the fall of that year, and NATO is considering not holding it in 2028, the year of the US presidential election and the last year of Trump’s presidency.
Another diplomat told Reuters: Some countries are trying to hold the summit every two years, but no decision has been made yet, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will have the final say.
These officials and diplomats, who did not reveal their names, added: NATO will continue to hold regular meetings of heads of state and government, and between summits, NATO Allies will continue to consult, plan and decide on our common security.
One of these diplomats said: It’s better to have fewer meetings than bad meetings! After all, we have our own work to do, we know what to do.