President Donald Trump surprised NATO leaders on Wednesday by adopting a notably conciliatory tone at the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, praising increased defense spending by member states and reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The shift came after months of public complaints and tensions involving the alliance, including Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States should control Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Prior to the closed-door session with NATO’s 32 members, Trump publicly renewed his demand for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, prompting a firm response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Frederiksen reiterated Denmark’s sovereignty over the island, stating that Greenland was not for sale and asserting her country’s commitment to defend the territory. The issue had previously strained relations earlier in the year, with Trump retreating from the demand following intervention by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. However, Trump’s reemergence of the issue heightened European concerns about U.S. intentions in the Arctic.

Despite these tensions, inside the summit room, Trump’s remarks centered on encouraging NATO nations to meet their defense spending commitments, a longstanding U.S. demand. He praised countries that had increased military expenditures without singling out those lagging behind. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, described the atmosphere as unexpectedly constructive, emphasizing unity and cooperation amid prior uncertainties.

“Maybe they’re trying to get to me, and in a way they did, because there was tremendous unity in that room,” Trump said following the meeting. He highlighted a positive reception from fellow leaders, describing the event as a “tremendously successful summit” marked by what he called “a feeling of love in the air.” Merz credited Trump’s pressure for accelerating European defense spending, noting a shift away from Europe’s previous reliance on U.S. military support.

The summit also featured a separate meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the U.S. president commended Ukraine’s ongoing war effort—a notable change given prior U.S. ambivalence on the conflict. NATO leaders collectively reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing continued solidarity against Russian aggression.

Tensions resurfaced earlier in the day when Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with NATO and criticized European resistance to the U.S.-led campaign against Iran. Several European countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have supported logistical aspects of the campaign but remain cautious, with some, such as Spain and France, expressing reservations. French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that European countries are developing their own military capabilities to reduce dependence on U.S. systems amid concerns about Washington’s shifting policies.

Despite early-day disputes, including Trump’s threat to sever trade relations with Spain over a trade deficit, the tone shifted as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez later reported cordial, tension-free conversations with the U.S. president.

On the matter of Greenland, NATO officials indicated that while discussions among U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic representatives have continued since January, tangible progress remains limited. Proposals considered include expanding U.S. military presence and investment in Greenland’s mineral resources, as well as deploying a layered air defense system known as Golden Dome.

The summit closed with a joint declaration reaffirming NATO’s collective defense commitment under Article 5 and pledging increased European efforts to strengthen the alliance and support Ukraine. Although Trump refrained from announcing any planned U.S. troop reductions or significant changes to military commitments in Europe, the event reflected a cautious easing of tensions and a shared focus on unity amid ongoing geopolitical challenges. The question of whether such harmony will persist remains open amid the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy under the current administration.