Newsletters
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday afternoon to attend the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit and hold a bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Trump landed in Türkiye's capital as world leaders, senior delegations and members of the international press gathered for the two-day summit, hosted by Türkiye at the Bestepe Presidential Compound on July 7-8.
The Ankara summit brings together leaders from NATO's 32 member states and key partners at a critical moment for the transatlantic alliance.
Trump is scheduled to be welcomed by Erdogan in an arrival ceremony and greeting at 2:15 p.m. local time (11:15 a.m. GMT), followed by a state arrival ceremony and honor guard review at 3:00 p.m.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting at 3:15 p.m.
Trump departed the White House late Monday for Ankara, according to the White House pool report.
The presidential motorcade left the White House at 9:03 p.m. local time (1:03 a.m. GMT) Tuesday, en route to Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland.
Air Force One took off at 9:41 p.m. local time.
Traveling with Trump aboard Air Force One were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung.
Trump's aides Mike Needham, Will Scharf, Ross Worthington, Walt Nauta, Chris Ambrosini, Richard Walters and Natalie Harp were also on board, along with U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.
Trump and Erdogan are expected to discuss bilateral issues during their meeting in Ankara.
The talks will review Türkiye-U.S. relations "in all dimensions, including defense, trade and investment," Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in a statement.
Duran said the discussions would also address steps that could be taken to deepen existing ties.
Trump is also scheduled to participate in the NATO Leaders' Social Dinner at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Trump will take part in an official welcome ceremony and family photo, followed by a NATO leaders' working session, the White House said.
He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit is being held in Ankara as the alliance faces security pressures from Europe to the Middle East.
Alongside the 32 member states, leaders of Asia-Pacific NATO partners and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy are also attending.
On the first day of the summit, leaders will convene at what is described as the most comprehensive NATO Defense Industry Forum held to date.
The summit agenda is expected to focus on defense investment, strengthening the alliance's defense industry, support for Ukraine, regional security challenges and the future of burden-sharing among allies.
The main agenda items, including Europe assuming primary responsibility for conventional defense and the "NATO 3.0" vision for recalibrating the U.S. military presence in Europe, will be addressed in sessions on the second day.
Unity and solidarity remain the top expectations for the summit despite recent transatlantic tensions.
The Ankara summit is drawing a large international media presence.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
