US President Trump in Ankara

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to attend the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit and hold a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The two-day summit, hosted by Türkiye at the Bestepe Presidential Compound, brings together leaders from NATO's 32 member states and key partners at a critical moment for the transatlantic alliance.

The journey began late Monday, when Trump's motorcade departed the White House at 9:03 p.m. local time and made its way to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Air Force One takes off at 9:41 p.m., carrying the president toward Türkiye's capital for two days of high-level talks with allied leaders.

Trump is accompanied by senior members of his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Several White House aides and U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley also travel aboard Air Force One as part of the delegation.

Trump landed in Ankara as world leaders, senior delegations and international press gathered for the summit. 

Alongside the alliance's member states, leaders of Asia-Pacific NATO partners and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are also in attendance for the two-day proceedings.

Erdogan personally welcomed Trump upon his arrival at Esenboga Airport, ahead of the U.S. leader's departure for the summit venue.

The gesture marks the start of a schedule built around ceremony, protocol and direct talks between the two heads of state.

An arrival ceremony and greeting took place at 2:15 p.m. local time, followed by a state arrival ceremony and honor guard review at 3 p.m.

The formalities set the stage for the bilateral discussions that follow later in the afternoon.

Trump and Erdogan held a bilateral meeting at 3:15 p.m. to review Türkiye-U.S. relations across multiple dimensions, including defense, trade and investment, according to Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran.

Duran says the talks also addressed steps to deepen the existing relationship between the two countries, as officials from both delegations look to build on the discussions held during the visit.

The day's schedule continues into the evening, with Trump set to attend the NATO Leaders' Social Dinner at 7:05 p.m., joining fellow heads of state and government for further discussion outside the formal summit sessions.

On Wednesday, the summit continues with an official welcome ceremony and family photo involving all attending leaders, followed by a NATO leaders' working session addressing the alliance's shared priorities.

Trump is also scheduled to hold separate bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, extending the summit's agenda beyond NATO membership to regional partners.

The first day's agenda includes what is described as the most comprehensive NATO Defense Industry Forum held to date, with discussions centered on defense investment, strengthening the alliance's defense industry, support for Ukraine, regional security challenges and the future of burden-sharing among allies.

The second day turns to Europe assuming primary responsibility for conventional defense, part of the "NATO 3.0" vision to recalibrate the U.S. military presence on the continent. 

Despite recent transatlantic tensions, unity and solidarity remain the summit's dominant themes.