NATO on Saturday released the official schedule for its Ankara summit, with leaders of the alliance set to gather on July 7 and 8 amid debates over defense spending, Ukraine, Russia and Middle East security.
The summit will be chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and hosted by Turkey, which is holding a NATO summit for the second time since the 2004 meeting in İstanbul.
The program begins Monday with a 4:45 p.m. pre-summit news conference by Rutte at the international media center.
Tuesday’s schedule includes a NATO Defense Industry Forum at the ATO Congresium, where NATO, allied governments and industry representatives are expected to make announcements at 10 a.m.
Rutte is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at 12:45 p.m. along with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.
Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are also scheduled to make remarks at 2 p.m., according to the program published by NATO.
Foreign ministers will meet with Istanbul Cooperation Initiative partners at 5 p.m. at Turkey’s presidential compound, followed by a reception and dinner for heads of state and government hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and first lady Emine Erdoğan at 6:30 p.m.
The first day will end with separate working dinners for the NATO Ukraine Council at the level of foreign minister and the North Atlantic Council at the level of defense minister.
Rutte is scheduled to make a doorstep statement on Wednesday at 8 a.m., followed by doorstep statements by allied heads of state and government at 8:15 a.m.
Rutte and Erdoğan are scheduled to welcome allied leaders at 10:45 a.m., followed by the official photo at 11 a.m.
The main meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of head of state and government is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m.
Rutte is expected to hold a news conference at 3 p.m., while some leaders may hold separate news conferences afterward.
NATO says the summit will review progress since the 2025 summit in The Hague and set a roadmap for alliance priorities, including defense investment, defense industry production and support for Ukraine.
The summit takes place as NATO members are expected to reaffirm their commitment to collective defense and agree on further support for Ukraine.
The gathering is also expected to bring US President Donald Trump to Ankara, giving Erdoğan a major diplomatic stage as Turkey faces criticism over pressure on dissent ahead of the summit.