NATO chief demands allies present credible plans to reach defense spending targets

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday demanded that members put forward “clear, concrete and credible plans” to reach the organization’s defense spending targets at its annual summit in Ankara.

Rutte spoke in the Turkish capital ahead of the two-day summit starting on Tuesday at a crucial time for the alliance, with the United States scaling down its security role in Europe. Washington has been pressing allies to shoulder more of the spending burden.

The 32 nations agreed last year to invest 5% of their gross domestic product on defense — 3.5% on their defense budgets and 1.5% on roads, bridges and ports so troops and equipment can move faster in times of conflict.

Spain endorsed the goal but said it could fulfill NATO’s security requirements without spending so much. Some countries are still struggling to meet the alliance’s old target of 2% of GDP.

Asked what would happen to members that don't have a clear plan, Rutte said: “If one or two of them still have to be convinced, we have ways to do that.” He did not elaborate.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker suggested last week that the U.S. has something in store for those who do not step up, but declined to say more.

“President (Donald) Trump fully expects that all allies will step up immediately and get on the path to 5% and do it with urgency,” Whitaker said.

On spending among European allies and Canada, Rutte said that “the evidence we see so far is impressive.” He said NATO estimates that they will invest a combined $258 billion more in defense in 2025 and this year than they have in previous years.

But the numbers might not be enough to satisfy the Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly lashed U.S. allies over defense spending, and in the past threatened not to come to the defense of any member not doing enough — challenging NATO’s key reason for existence.

Trump also has called for “loyalty” from NATO allies, after some of them declined to allow the use of their military bases in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. As well as airing grievances about how much the U.S. spends on defense compared with other countries, Trump has sparred with allies over the war, his comments about annexing Greenland and other tiffs.

The Trump administration is promoting what it calls “NATO 3.0,” a vision in which Europe assumes greater responsibility for its own defense, freeing the U.S. to concentrate on other priorities. The approach was laid out earlier this year by Elbridge Colby, a U.S. undersecretary of defense, during a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

“We need our allies in NATO to step up and assume leadership roles, and I mean that not only in sort of loud cheerleading but also the moral authority and the moral compass of the alliance,” Whitaker said last week.

Some European governments have warned that Russia might be preparing a hybrid attack somewhere on the continent as Russian President Vladimir Putin struggles to secure victory in Ukraine.

NATO on Tuesday is due to make announcements showcasing the military equipment being bought with billions of dollars more being spent on defense and security. The event has been dubbed the “big reveal.”

Among the projects, many of them prepared and signed long before the summit, is one to replace NATO’s aging fleet of surveillance planes.

NATO as an organization does not own any weaponry — these are the property of member countries — but it has a fleet of AWACS aircraft that are about 50 years old and some surveillance drones.

In a report released on Monday, the European Stability Mechanism — a financial institution set up to help countries using the euro currency in severe financial distress — said NATO’s defense spending target is achievable but must be handled carefully.

It warned that Europe’s defense buildup, which largely will use debt financing in the short term, is turning into “one of the central fiscal policy questions of this decade.”

NATO governments are struggling to hike their defense spending, which requires increasing taxes or reshuffling resources from other priorities.

U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey unexpectedly quit last month because he said the government was not willing to spend at a time of rising threats.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a media conference at the International Media Center ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a media conference at the International Media Center ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrives for a media conference at the International Media Center ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a media conference at the International Media Center ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a media conference at the International Media Center ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

LONDON (AP) — Jasmine Paolini ended the historic Wimbledon run of Filipino star Alexandra Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals Monday — all with her idol watching at Centre Court.

Roger Federer sat in the Royal Box as Paolini, the 2024 singles runner-up at the All England Club, attacked the 21-year-old Eala’s second serve on a hot day at the grass-court Grand Slam.

The 5-foot-4 Italian tried not to let the presence of the record eight-time men's singles champion distract her.

“He is my idol,” the 30-year-old Paolini said in an on-court interview. “I was like during the match, ‘please stay focused, stay focused,’ don't think about he's here. I was watching all the finals and all the tournaments he was playing here.

“So, it's an amazing feeling.”

The left-handed Eala, who struggled with her first serve, was trying to extend her run after ousting defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round. No other player from the Philippines had come this far in a Grand Slam singles tournament in the Open era, according to the women’s professional tour.

Both players placed ice towels around their necks during changeovers Monday. The temperature rose to to 31 C (88 F) after mild weather in the first week.

Paolini, who lost the 2024 singles final to Barbora Krejcikova, said the most important part of her game is just to enjoy her tennis.

“I think that's my superpower,” she said.

Paolini, the 13th seed, next will face Marta Kostyuk for a spot in the semifinals.

Kostyuk reached her first Wimbledon quarterfinals by beating qualifier Ashlyn Krueger 6-4, 6-4 on No. 2 Court.

The 24-year-old Ukrainian, a French Open semifinalist, improved to 10-0 this season against players from the United States. Krueger had come into the match with a 16-1 record on grass this season.

“Today was a very difficult day, very hot,” said the 12th-seeded Kostyuk, who twirled after her win. “The longer you stay on this surface, actually the worse you feel. (It) was big fight, difficult conditions, super windy today.”

Italy had another big win Monday when ninth-seeded Flavio Cobolli beat fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3 on No. 1 Court.

Besides Federer, six-time women's singles champion Billie Jean King posted that she was headed to the Royal Box. Also on hand was Formula 1 racer Kimi Antonelli, who leads the drivers' standings despite a disappointing result in Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Later on Centre Court, it's a battle of men's wild cards when Grigor Dimitrov faces Arthur Fery — the 23-year-old British player who grew up just five minutes from the All England Club. In the nightcap, second-seeded Alexander Zverev tries to reach Wimbledon quarterfinals for first time when he faces Jiri Lehecka.

On No. 1 Court, sixth-seeded Taylor Fritz of the U.S. was facing 10th-seeded Alexander Bublik for a spot in the quarterfinals.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Former tennis player Roger Federer of Switzerland sits in the Royal Box on day eight at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jasmine Paolini of Italy reacts during the women's singles fourth round match against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines plays a return during the women's singles fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dances to celebrate her victory against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States in their fourth round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)