U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the NATO summit of heads of state and government scheduled to take place in Türkiye in July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday.
Speaking to lawmakers, Rubio described the upcoming gathering as one of the most consequential meetings in the alliance's history, citing key issues that NATO members must address.
"I think the next meeting of NATO and Türkiye in July is probably the most important meeting in NATO's history, because there are some things here that need to be cleared up and fixed," Rubio said.
He also confirmed Trump's participation in the summit, telling lawmakers that "the president himself will be attending."
While Washington remains a member, he said the organization needs "significant changes" that will be discussed in the July 7-8 summit in the Turkish capital.
The meeting is expected to bring together leaders from across the alliance at a time of heightened security concerns and ongoing discussions over NATO's future priorities, burden-sharing and regional challenges.
Trump's attendance is likely to place additional focus on the summit, with alliance members expected to discuss defense spending, transatlantic security and other strategic issues facing NATO.
Rubio reiterated long-time administration rhetoric that Western European nations have avoided defense spending for decades by relying on the U.S. security shield to fund "vast and robust" social safety networks.
"The U.S. has global obligations, and while we have vast resources, we do not have unlimited resources," Rubio said.
The top U.S. diplomat also expressed frustration about recent incidents where NATO allies denied the U.S. use of their bases during the war with Iran.
"In a time of conflict and crisis, where the United States had a need," said Rubio, allies who demand U.S. involvement in European matters like Ukraine refused to allow American tankers to refuel at their facilities. The lack of cooperation, he said, caused Trump's "irritation" with the alliance.
Addressing Trump's previous interest in acquiring Greenland, Rubio defended the logic, noting that the administration is in talks with Denmark and Greenland on collective missile defense.
"The president's view is that it's a lot easier to defend it when you have control and complete control of it," he added.