NATO Summit 2026: When and who is attending NATO’s Ankara summit?

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 6, 2026 09:30 PM IST

The Turkish flag and NATO banners cover buildings ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey. (AP Photo)

NATO leaders are scheduled to attend the summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday and Wednesday amid US President Donald Trump’s pressure for Europe to intensify defence spending as friction continues over the Iran war and Greenland.

The two-day summit is poised to be held at the Beştepe Presidential Compound and will be chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The summit will open on Tuesday, and the event is expected to close the following day, after Trump holds a press briefing.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, meets with Turkish Presidential Defense Industries Directorate Haluk Gorgun as he arrives ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey. (AP)

What will NATO leaders discuss?

President Trump’s frequent criticism of NATO, with the announcement of the US troops’ withdrawal from Europe, has triggered uncertainty within the Western military alliance.

Trump administration’s insistence on Europe taking the primary responsibility for the continent’s defence and boosting defence spending will be discussed.

Who are the leaders attending NATO Summit?

Leaders from the 32-member countries of NATO, including US President Trump, are scheduled to attend the summit in Ankara.

Turkish Minister for Trade Omer Bolat, left, and Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev, center, during a welcome ceremony at Esenboga airport ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey. (AP)

Apart from these leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Council President Antonio Costa, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, ​and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to attend the summit and join a dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday evening, Reuters reported.

What will NATO members announce for Ukraine?

NATO members are expected to pledge their continued support for Ukraine in its over four years war against Russia, and the countries could also announce new wave of assistance for Kyiv.

Story continues below this ad

“For 2026, Allies pledge €70bn in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine and affirm their sovereign ​commitments to sustaining at least equivalent levels in 2027,” the NATO leaders are expected to say.

Who else is attending the NATO Summit?

NATO foreign ministers are expected to meet leaders from the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The ministers would also be holding a dinner discussion with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukraine’s foreign minister.

NATO’s defence ministers would also be meeting Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia’s ministers during the summit.

(with inputs from agencies)

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.

A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.

All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.

Core Team

The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:

Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.

Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.

Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:

Ankara

donald trump

Greenland

NATO summit