Next NATO summit in Albania in doubt amid US reluctance and low defence spending

As NATO

leaders prepare for a summit in Turkey next week, plans for an

alliance summit in Albania next year have been thrown into doubt

due to resistance from the Trump administration and

dissatisfaction among NATO members with Tirana's low defence

spending, a NATO diplomat, European official and three people

familiar with the matter told Reuters.



A draft statement for next week’s NATO summit in Ankara does

not currently mention holding the next gathering in Albania,

despite a previous declaration that it would take place there,

the people said.



The move comes as European NATO members seek to show U.S.

President Donald Trump in Ankara that they have made progress on

defence spending pledges and avoid open clashes with the

American leader.