Kremlin says Russia will follow NATO summit closely

AI Summary

The Kremlin stated Russia will carefully monitor the NATO summit in Turkey amidst a series of confrontational statements toward Russia. NATO leaders meet in Ankara under U.S. pressure for increased European defense spending amid broader transatlantic tensions.

MOSCOW, July 7 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia would closely monitor the outcome of the NATO summit in Turkey, adding that a series of "confrontational" statements about Russia had preceded the event. NATO leaders are gathering in Ankara for meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for Europe to step up defence spending and following months of transatlantic friction over the Iran war and Greenland.