Three big takeaways from Day 1 of NATO Summit

Europe should play stronger role in alliance.

According to the Associated Press, French President Emmanuel Macron argued that Europeans need to play a greater role within the NATO military alliance, while in order to be less reliant on the United States.

The comments came after Macron met with U.S. President Donald Trump, who railed against the French President over earlier comments about the future of NATO.

France's President Emmanuel Macron arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Downing Street, ahead of the NATO summit in Watford, in London, Britain, December 3, 2019. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS)

Turkey's unsecured place in NATO

Macron and Trump lobbed some criticism against Turkey, a part of NATO during the first day of the summit.

Trump threatens to impose sanctions on Ankara for purchasing Russian-made missile defense system, though he touted that both Turkey and the U.S. have a great relationship.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he opposes NATO's plan for defending Baltic countries if the alliance does not recognizes certain groups the country views as terrorist, according to Reuters.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) in Buckingham Palace in central London on December 3, 2019, during a reception hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the NATO alliance summit. (Yui Mok / AFP)

Finding ways to fight threats

Leaders heading to the summit discussed how to combat ongoing threats from ISIL, as well as tensions from Russia.

The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, suggested that military surveillance in the Arctic seas and airspace should be a priority in order to counteract Russia's regional aggression, according to Reuters.

US President Donald Trump (centre R) and France's President Emmanuel Macron (centre L) react as they talk during their meeting at Winfield House, London on December 3, 2019. ( Ludovic MARIN / AFP )