Ankara Summit represents another turning point in NATO's historical evolutions: Duran
The NATO summit in Ankara marks another turning point in the alliance's historical evolution, Turkish Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran has said, urging allies to rethink collective defence against increasingly complex threats.
Speaking at the "NATO Allies in Ankara" event, Duran said defence spending alone was insufficient, stressing the need for coherent policies and a shared understanding of how military and non-military tools should work together.
Estonia says NATO's Ankara gathering set to be 'summit of delivery' as allies push defence spending
NATO leaders gather in the Turkish capital, Ankara, for a pivotal summit focused on strengthening allied cohesion and transforming political pledges on defence spending and military capability development into measurable action, Estonia's Defence Ministry has said in comments to Anadolu.
The meeting is widely expected to be framed as a potential "summit of delivery," with a central focus on ensuring that allies meet agreed defence spending benchmarks and NATO capability targets.
The discussions come as member states seek to demonstrate that increased European and Canadian contributions are translating into real military capacity, industrial output and deterrence.
South Korea's president departs for Türkiye to attend NATO summit
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has departed for Türkiye to attend the NATO summit in Ankara, local media reported.
Lee's visit to Türkiye is part of a two-country tour that will continue with a stop in Mongolia, said Yonhap News Agency.
The presidential aircraft carrying Lee took off from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam en route to Ankara, where the leaders of NATO's 32 member countries, including US President Donald Trump, will gather for the summit from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Trump departs from Washington for 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara
US President Donald Trump departed the White House late Monday for Ankara, Türkiye, where he will attend a NATO summit and hold a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The presidential motorcade left the White House at 9.03 p.m. local time (0103GMT Tuesday) en route to Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland, the White House pool report said, with Air Force One taking off at 9.41 p.m. (0141GMT).
Trump will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday afternoon, where he will be welcomed by President Erdogan in a state arrival ceremony.
The two leaders will hold a meeting where they will discuss bilateral issues.
The discussions will review Türkiye-US relations "in all dimensions, including defense, trade and investment," and address steps that could be taken to deepen existing cooperation, Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Trump will participate 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.
Turkish defence firm ASELSAN expands NATO cooperation into strategic partnership
Turkish defence company ASELSAN is expanding its cooperation with NATO from procurement projects to a broader strategic partnership.
In a statement on Monday, ASELSAN said its cooperation with NATO, which began in the 1990s with the production of electronic components for Stinger air defence missiles, has expanded into a wide range of areas, from the modernisation of submarine communication stations to Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems and air defence concept studies.
The company has long provided solutions in tenders by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA).
Its first communications contract with NCIA marked a key milestone for Turkish defence technologies in global competition.
Türkiye showcases cultural heritage, global achievements through NATO Summit exhibitions
Exhibitions showcasing Türkiye's rich cultural heritage and global achievements opened to visitors at multiple venues across Ankara as part of the NATO Summit, offering a glimpse into the country's history, innovation and international contributions, the Presidential Communications Directorate has said.
The exhibitions have been set up at locations frequented by foreign delegations, diplomatic missions, representatives of international organisations and members of the media attending the summit, the directorate said in a statement.
Canadian prime minister departs for Türkiye to attend NATO Summit in Ankara
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney left for Ankara on Monday to attend the 2026 NATO summit.
Carney stopped in Halifax before continuing to the Turkish capital, where he is expected to remain until Wednesday.
Carney’s office previously said the trip is part of efforts to strengthen Canada’s security through “a generational increase in defence investment” and new defence partnerships across the Atlantic.
Türkiye's NATO envoy says solidarity main expectation from Ankara summit
The primary expectation from the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara is a clear demonstration of unity and solidarity among allies, said Türkiye's Permanent Representative to NATO Ambassador Basat Ozturk.
"Türkiye's as well as all allies' collective objective and expectation is to clearly reaffirm unity, solidarity and cohesion among allies. This is the number one expectation," Ozturk told Anadolu at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
He said extensive preparations have been made for the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be hosted by Türkiye in Ankara on July 7-8, and that the logistical and infrastructure work would set a new benchmark for future NATO summits.
