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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting was a high-level diplomatic gathering held on 3 December 2025 at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The meeting was convened to assess progress in the defense and security policies of allied nations following the The Hague Summit held in June 2025 and to prepare for the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara in July 2026.
NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Belgium, 3 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
The NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting is one of the Alliance’s two annual official ministerial-level gatherings. It was convened to evaluate the implementation of decisions made at the The Hague Summit, plan preparations for the NATO Summit scheduled for July 2026 in Ankara, and address current developments affecting Euro-Atlantic security.
The main agenda items included the Russia-Ukraine War, discussions on the peace plan led by the United States, strengthening deterrence along NATO’s eastern flank, hybrid threats, air defense support, and the 2% of GDP defense spending target.
The structure of the meeting was determined according to the official program published by NATO.
Notably, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend the meeting. The United States was represented by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Within the meeting’s agenda, the U.S.-drafted peace plan for Ukraine was discussed among allies. The plan’s draft provisions—including limits on NATO expansion, caps on Ukraine’s military capacity, and recognition of territories under Russian control—met with criticism from European countries. European nations emphasized that Ukraine alone holds the authority to decide on its territorial integrity and that peace negotiations must be conducted on the basis of Ukraine’s sovereign rights.
NATO also addressed hybrid threats and cyber security during the meeting. NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone stated that the Alliance was evaluating a shift from a “reactive” approach in cyberspace to a “more aggressive or proactive” posture.
In this context, incidents involving Russian-linked unmanned aerial vehicles violating Polish and Romanian airspace, drone-induced disruptions at airports and military facilities in Western Europe, and sabotage attacks on the Warsaw–Kyiv railway line in November were brought to the agenda.
Another key agenda item was Ukraine’s air defense needs. Prior to the meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with NATO Secretary General Rutte to reiterate Ukraine’s request for air defense systems and underscored the importance of the “Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List” (PURL) mechanism. Shmyhal stated that the PURL list is “critically important.”
NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Belgium, 3 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
The NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting began with an opening address by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his speech, Rutte stated that allies would assess the progress made since the Hague Summit in strengthening collective defense and would address preparations for the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara in July 2026.
Rutte said that Russia continues to test NATO’s deterrence, stating, “Russia is continuing to test our deterrence.” He noted that Russia has violated the airspace of allied nations with jets and unmanned aerial vehicles, carried out sabotage operations, and “sent spy ships into our territorial waters.” He described these actions as “reckless and dangerous.”
The Secretary General emphasized that Russia is not acting alone but is working in close cooperation with China, North Korea, and Iran “to destabilize our societies and undermine global rules.”
Rutte stated that NATO allies are responding to these threats with “strength, unity, and resolve.” He added, “European allies and Canada are significantly increasing their defense investments, which is positive, but we cannot rest on our laurels.” Rutte explained that member countries must invest in their defense industry and infrastructure, saying, “We must develop and acquire the foundational capabilities for our defense, and invest in industry, infrastructure, and innovation to encourage production and enhance resilience.”
Rutte stressed the need to continue support for Ukraine, saying, “We need to support Ukraine even more. Russian missiles continue to cause death and destruction, and winter is coming. Ukraine needs our support more than ever.” He also referred to U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war, stating, “I strongly welcome President Trump’s ongoing efforts to bring this war to an end.”
Rutte called on allied nations to accelerate their contributions of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, saying, “We must accelerate our contributions to PURL to get urgently needed equipment to Ukraine.” At the end of his speech, he noted that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha would brief allies during the lunch session on recent developments, adding, “Minister Sybiha will inform us on the latest developments, Ukraine’s urgent needs, and its peace efforts.”
One of the most discussed topics at the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting was the Ukraine peace plan developed under U.S. leadership. The draft text of the plan includes provisions to limit NATO expansion, impose upper limits on the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and effectively recognize certain Ukrainian territories currently under Russian control.
European countries emphasized that “Ukraine’s people alone are the sole authority over their own territory and future.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the priority must be the preservation of security guarantees and sovereignty. He said, “For any plan to work, Ukrainians and Europeans must be part of the process.”
The second session of the meeting, the NATO-Ukraine Council, was held with the participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas. The session assessed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict, and reform efforts within Ukraine.
Secretary General Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s support for Ukraine’s security, saying, “Ukraine’s security is closely linked to our own. Our support must be continuous to help Ukraine defend itself today and deter aggression tomorrow.” He also addressed the “Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL)” program within the framework of aid coordination, noting that allies in Europe and Canada are financing U.S.-produced weapons and equipment acquisitions for Ukraine. Rutte reiterated his call, “We must accelerate our contributions to PURL.”
Secretary General Rutte stated that Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position both during the current conflict and in peace negotiations. He expressed the view that “Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position in peace talks.” Rutte added, “Only the United States under President Trump can achieve this.” On the peace process, he emphasized the importance of “the existence of a peace process.”
In a statement made the same day regarding the volume of military aid to Ukraine, he said, “Many commitments have been made, and I hope to make several announcements in the coming hours on this matter... we currently have $4 billion; I am cautiously optimistic we will reach $5 billion for next year.”
Rutte explained that this amount covers Ukraine’s defense needs, including air defense systems, countermeasures, and protection of civilian infrastructure. “This flow of assistance is vital. And I again call on everyone to accelerate their commitments,” he said. Regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting in Moscow with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, Rutte noted, “This was an important meeting,” but added, “I do not wish to comment on every step in the peace process.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, 3 December 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)
The Republic of Türkiye was represented at the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. During the first session of the meeting, Minister Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s significant contributions to the Alliance and European security through its strong and modern military capabilities, emphasizing that NATO’s efforts to strengthen its European pillar must be complementary. He also advocated for the transparent inclusion of non-EU NATO members in European Union defense initiatives within this framework.
Minister Fidan further underscored Türkiye’s contributions to NATO, recalling that Türkiye is the second-largest contributor to NATO missions and operations and noting that Türkiye will assume for the second time in October 2025 the leadership of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).
Minister Fidan met in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. During the talks, they discussed efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, Black Sea security, preparations for the 2026 Ankara Summit, and the contributions of Türkiye’s defense industry to NATO members.
On the margins of the meeting, Minister Fidan held bilateral talks with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. During his meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Cooper, the situation in Gaza was addressed. Fidan stated that pressure must be applied on Israel to ensure a sustainable ceasefire and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to the region. The same meeting also assessed the progress of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with Fidan emphasizing that any solution must be “fair and enduring.”
During the meeting, Minister Fidan held talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The discussions covered bilateral relations and issues on the NATO agenda. Fidan also met with Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, to exchange views on the security situation in Ukraine and regional developments.
On the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, a Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting between Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania was held. Attending on behalf of Türkiye was Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, alongside Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu.
The meeting focused on the security of the Black Sea from the perspective of these three NATO member states with coastlines on the sea. The parties emphasized that the security of maritime routes and critical infrastructure holds importance at both regional and global levels. They also drew attention to the necessity of strict adherence to the Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits. A shared commitment was expressed to maintain the Black Sea as “a sea of peace, stability and cooperation.”
NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Belgium, 3 December 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)
The NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting focused on defense spending and allies’ investment commitments. At the conclusion of the meeting, NATO reiterated its plan to progressively achieve the defense investment pledge of 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), as set at the The Hague Summit, by 2035.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that this target is not merely a financial indicator, stating, “This is not just about numbers; it is about building a stronger, more adaptable alliance capable of deterring any attack and defending every inch of allied territory.”
Regarding defense investments, decisions were made to enhance air defense systems, modernize military deployments along the eastern flank, and increase production capacity. In a statement following the meeting, Rutte said, “Ministers discussed ongoing planning to build a reliable roadmap toward fulfilling the pledge made at The Hague Summit to invest 5 percent of gross domestic product annually in defense.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted Türkiye’s capacity within the Alliance’s defense industry, stating, “Your defense industry hub in Türkiye, along with more than 3,000 companies that form part of this defense industrial base, are delivering the output necessary for deterrence and defense.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, NATO reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its “defense-focused” structure and its determination to protect its members. Rutte closed the meeting with the message, “NATO remains a defense alliance ready to protect its people and determined to safeguard their security.” In the same statement, Rutte noted that “Allies remain prepared, willing and capable of addressing today’s and future security challenges together.”
NATO Dışişleri Bakanları Toplantısı, 3 Aralık 2025 tarihinde Belçika’nın başkenti Brüksel’deki NATO Karargâhı’nda yapıldı. Toplantıda müttefik ülkeler, Haziran 2025’teki Lahey Zirvesi’nde alınan kararları gözden geçirdi ve 2026 Temmuz’unda Ankara’da düzenlenecek NATO Zirvesi’nin hazırlıklarını değerlendirdi. Görüşmelerde Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı, ABD’nin barış planı, hibrit tehditler, savunma harcamaları ve Ukrayna’ya yönelik destek ön planda yer aldı. NATO Genel Sekreteri Mark Rutte, toplantının sonunda ittifakın savunma odaklı yapısını koruyacağını ve müttefiklerin güvenliği sağlama konusundaki kararlılığını yineledi.
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December 6, 2025
Background and Agenda
December 6, 2025
Opening Address and Messages from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
December 6, 2025
Discussions on the Russia-Ukraine War and the Peace Process
December 6, 2025
Türkiye’s Participation and Diplomatic Engagement
December 6, 2025
Joint Statements