European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke at a defense forum ahead of the July 7 NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, emphasizing closer EU-NATO ties and reduced reliance on the United States. The event included announcements of new Airbus A400M and A330 MRTT aircraft initiatives involving multiple European nations. Reports also noted arms contracts and a possible reduction in certain U.S. military contributions to the alliance.