NATO meets in Turkey: Increased defence spending on agenda

• Main topics of discussion: The meeting in Antalya will focus on preparing for the NATO summit in The Hague, which is scheduled for the end of June.
• Poland's participation: Poland is represented by Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, who is engaging in discussions on security and defence.
• Growing threat from Russia: NATO plans to increase defence spending in response to the escalating threat from Russia.

The meeting in Antalya, which commenced on Wednesday, aims to prepare the Alliance for the impending summit in The Hague. The discussions concentrate on raising defence spending, a move prompted by Russia's growing threat. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte proposed a compromise on spending, setting an increased target of 3.5% of GDP.

Although U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that Vladimir Putin might attend in Turkey, the Kremlin has not yet confirmed who will represent Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed readiness to negotiate with Putin, emphasizing that his presence would indicate a willingness to end the conflict.

According to unofficial reports, Putin will not be in Istanbul.

During the summit in The Hague, NATO plans to discuss increasing the stockpile of weapons and equipment and implementing joint projects in the defence industry. Important topics will also include support for Ukraine and adaptation to new threats like cyberattacks and acts of sabotage.

Trump's proposal to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP has elicited mixed reactions. This objective is feasible for countries on NATO's eastern flank, such as Poland, but it presents a challenge for many Western European countries, like Spain.