Ankara, Turkey – All eyes are on the Turkish capital, Ankara, this week as it hosts the 36th NATO Summit on July 7 and 8, 2026. The summit is taking place amidst complex geopolitical circumstances. In this context, much of the focus is on the future of Western support for Ukraine in light of international efforts to find a way out of the crisis.
Zelenskyy at the heart of the scene
Contrary to speculation that the Ukrainian presence might be marginalized, informed sources have confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be in Ankara. Zelensky is expected to attend a state dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is also scheduled to address the Defense Industry Forum, held on the sidelines of the summit. Furthermore, he will participate in meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Council. This participation comes at a time when both Ukraine and the United States are seeking to strengthen diplomatic coordination. Zelensky previously affirmed that there are “real prospects” for ending the war. He also emphasized that the American role will be crucial in any future settlement.
Anticipation for the Zelensky-Trump meeting
Behind the scenes, news is rife about a potential meeting between the Ukrainian president and US President Donald Trump, expected to take place on July 8 on the sidelines of the summit. This meeting follows a phone call between the two leaders last Saturday, during which they discussed the situation on the ground and diplomatic efforts to halt military operations. Reports indicate that Washington is placing great importance on ending the stalemate on the battlefield. At the same time, the US administration continues its efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
The summit comes amid Russian warnings.
For its part, Moscow is closely monitoring the diplomatic developments in Ankara. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed the need for Russia to be “vigilant and prepared” to counter any provocations that might arise during the summit. He asserted that Kyiv and its allies are deliberately trying to escalate tensions on the eve of these international meetings.
The Ankara summit is a pivotal moment for the alliance, aiming to strengthen unity among its 32 members and discuss regional security issues, including tensions in the Middle East and developments in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. At this time, Turkey seeks to play a strategic mediating role within the Western alliance.
