Romania Increases Defense Spending at NATO Ankara Summit

President Nicusor Dan announced at the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 8, 2026, that Romania will increase its combined defense and security spending to 3.7% of its GDP. During the summit, Dan emphasized Romania's role as a stabilizing force on the Eastern Flank and asserted that there is no risk of U.S. troops withdrawing from the region. He specifically advocated for the expansion of the Kogălniceanu Base and continued U.S. military presence.

To bolster the transatlantic defense industry, Romania joined the NATO Drone Edge initiative for joint drone procurement and agreed to purchase Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft alongside 10 other member states. Romania also signed a Canada-led declaration to establish the Defense, Security and Resilience Bank, which will be headquartered in Canada with offices in Romania and the Baltic states.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the Ankara Summit Declaration, reaffirming the alliance's commitment to collective defense under Article 5. Dan characterized the declaration as proof of the alliance's solidarity and delivery on spending commitments. While President Donald Trump criticized several allies for refusing to host U.S. equipment during the war in Iran, Romania maintained its support by hosting U.S. refueling aircraft. On the sidelines, Dan held bilateral security meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the security of the Republic of Moldova and the Black Sea.