U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders of NATO member states are set to reaffirm their firm commitment to the principle of collective defense at a summit to be held in Ankara, Turkey, next week, Reuters reported.

According to a draft of the joint summit declaration obtained by the news agency, NATO leaders will reaffirm the collective defense obligations stipulated in Article 5, the alliance's mutual defense clause, during the summit scheduled for July 7–8.

The declaration states, "We have gathered in Ankara to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the treaty and to the transatlantic alliance," adding that "an attack on one member is an attack on all."

The draft has been approved by ambassadors from all 32 NATO member states, including the United States, and will be finalized following the approval of the leaders at the summit.

President Trump is also expected to join in this declaration.

President Trump has previously criticized NATO member states for relying on U.S. security support without contributing sufficient defense spending.

In particular, following tensions with European leaders over U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, he had questioned the principle of NATO collective defense and even raised the possibility of withdrawing from the alliance.

Reuters reported that this draft joint declaration suggests that, at least for now, President Trump is willing to support NATO's collective defense principle.

Collective defense, the principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, is the cornerstone that supports the existence of the NATO alliance.

At this summit, NATO leaders also plan to finalize a long-term and stable military funding plan for Ukraine.

The draft declaration includes provisions to provide a total of 70 billion euros, or approximately 120 trillion won, in military aid to Ukraine this year, and to maintain at least the same level of support next year.

In the declaration, NATO defines Russia as a "long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability" and emphasizes that European member states and Canada are faithfully fulfilling the defense spending increase pledges made at last year's Hague summit.

It further states, "We are building a future for a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO," adding that "European allies and Canada are taking on greater responsibility for alliance defense alongside the United States."

Furthermore, the declaration states, "Members reaffirm that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons and urge Iran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)