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NATO shared a “Welcome to Ankara” video shortly before the 36th NATO Leaders Summit, placing Türkiye’s capital at the center of attention as 32 alliance leaders prepare to gather in the city this week.
The video, prepared jointly by NATO and Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense, introduces Ankara as the host city of the 2026 NATO Summit, which will bring together heads of state and government on July 7-8.
NATO said leaders will meet in Ankara to take key decisions on the challenges facing the alliance, while its social media post invited viewers to get to know the host of this year’s summit.
In the video, a female soldier from the Turkish Air Force and a male soldier from the Turkish Land Forces first underline Türkiye’s geopolitical importance before walking viewers through Ankara’s identity as the country’s capital.
The video says Mustafa Kemal Ataturk chose Ankara as the capital because of its central and strategic position, presenting the city not only as a political center but also as a symbol of the modern Turkish state.
The video highlights Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, along with Ankara simidi, the capital’s local version of simit, as part of the city’s cultural identity.
It also draws attention to Türkiye’s defense industry and the Presidential Complex, reflecting Ankara’s role in both national administration and strategic decision-making as the NATO summit gets underway.
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