US President Donald Trump once again questioned the strength of NATO during his visit to Türkiye, saying the military alliance depends too heavily on the United States. Speaking during the NATO gathering, Trump described NATO as a "paper tiger" and said it would not be able to continue in its current form without American leadership and military power. Trump repeated his long-standing view that many NATO members have not paid their fair share for defense. He said the United States continues to carry most of the financial burden while several allies spend much less on their own militaries. According to Trump, around 60 percent of NATO's overall military spending still comes from the United States. He argued that this situation is unfair for American taxpayers and said other countries should contribute much more to the alliance. Trump also said some NATO members have been ungrateful despite receiving security protection from the US for many years. He stressed that America remains the backbone of the alliance because of its military strength and global capabilities. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded by highlighting the progress made by alliance members. He said NATO countries are investing heavily in defense and military industries. Rutte explained that member countries are increasing spending, buying more military equipment, and strengthening their armed forces. He noted that NATO allies are expected to invest around $260 billion in defense and military production. Even with these increases, the United States remains the largest contributor to NATO's military budget and capabilities. US Military Remains the Strongest Experts say the United States continues to provide many of NATO's most important military assets. These include: Long-range missile systems, Aircraft carriers, Advanced surveillance aircraft, Deep-sea military operations, Intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, Air defense support. Because of these capabilities, the US remains the leading military power within NATO, and many allies depend on American support during major security operations. Zelenskyy Calls for More US Support During the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again appealed for additional military assistance. He said Ukraine urgently needs more Patriot air defense missile systems, better surveillance equipment, and stronger air defense to protect cities from Russian attacks. Much of this support, Zelenskyy said, can only be provided with the help of the United States because of its advanced military technology. Trump and Erdogan Hold Talks One of the most closely watched moments of the visit was the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders discussed NATO, regional security, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and cooperation between the United States and Türkiye. Trump praised Erdogan's role in regional diplomacy and suggested that Türkiye remains an important partner within NATO because of its strategic location and influence. According to reports from the summit, Trump made it clear that his decision to attend the meeting was influenced by Erdogan's participation. He indicated that Erdogan's presence made the discussions more meaningful and worthwhile. Erdogan, meanwhile, stressed that Türkiye wants stronger cooperation within NATO while also working to reduce tensions in the region. He said Türkiye continues to support diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing peace to ongoing conflicts. The Turkish president also said his government is trying to help improve communication between the United States and Iran and supports efforts to reduce regional tensions through dialogue. Despite Trump's criticism, NATO remains the world's largest military alliance, bringing together North American and European countries for collective defense. Supporters of the alliance argue that NATO has helped maintain security among its members for decades and continues to play an important role in responding to modern security threats. However, Trump's comments have again raised questions about how the alliance should share military costs and responsibilities in the future. Trump used the NATO meeting in Türkiye to repeat his criticism of the alliance, calling it a "paper tiger" and saying the United States continues to shoulder most of the financial and military burden. He argued that NATO would struggle without American leadership and urged member countries to spend more on defense. At the same time, his meeting with President Erdogan highlighted Türkiye's growing importance within NATO and regional diplomacy. Both leaders discussed security challenges, Ukraine, the Middle East, and the need for closer cooperation. While Trump focused on burden-sharing, Erdogan emphasized diplomacy and regional stability, showing that both leaders see the US-Türkiye relationship as important despite differences over broader international issues.