Exclusive-Bruised by Trump, NATO alliance considers end to annual summits

NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters, a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in his final year in office.

Trump's administration has engaged repeatedly in scathing criticism of many of the U.S.-led defence alliance's 31 other members, most recently berating some for not providing more assistance to U.S. military operations against Iran.

The frequency of NATO summits has varied over the alliance's 77-year history but its leaders have met every summer since 2021 and will gather this year in the Turkish capital Ankara on July 7 and 8.

But some members are pushing to slow the tempo, a senior European official and five diplomats, all from NATO member countries, told Reuters.