NATO summit begins in Ankara: Defense spending and Ukraine top agenda items, Western Balkans on the sidelines

The NATO summit begins today in Ankara, with the main topics expected to be increased defense spending, strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities, and the war in Ukraine, while the Western Balkans will remain on the sidelines of the summit.

Leaders of NATO's 32 member states will attend the summit, along with heads of state and government, as well as representatives of partner countries and international organizations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to attend, while public attention will be focused on the messages delivered by US President Donald Trump.

Heightened security measures have been introduced in Ankara because of the summit, including temporary restrictions on traffic and public gatherings. Police intervened during anti-NATO protests on Sunday, detaining more than 100 demonstrators.

Members of special police units and heavily armed police officers have also been deployed across the city, while armored military vehicles have been stationed near the US Embassy.

The Ankara summit is the first meeting of NATO leaders since last year's gathering in The Hague and is expected to define the Alliance's priorities for the coming period.

Regarding the Western Balkans, it was recently announced that the number of KFOR personnel in Kosovo will be reduced from approximately 4,700 to between 3,000 and 3,500 troops.

"We will return to the pre-2023 level. Of course, depending on the circumstances, KFOR will have between 3,000 and 3,500 troops. I believe this reflects the improved security situation, while KFOR's mission, of course, remains fully focused on its core mandate," the NATO Secretary General said recently.