PORTOROZ, Slovenia — NATO countries, under pressure from the U.S. and military leaders, may soon come through with additional troops and equipment needed to fight the escalating violence in Afghanistan.

The 26 NATO defense ministers, gathering for their two-day fall meeting here, are expected to agree on a plan to donate surplus military equipment to the country, and also are likely to announce new commitments of military resources.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is among the 26 NATO defense ministers meeting in Slovenia, expressed optimism that the NATO countries will find the troops needed to fill gaps in the military operations.

Currently there are about 20,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan and an additional 21,000 from the United States.