What to know about NATO's summit in Turkey

By — Lorne Cook, Associated Press Lorne Cook, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know-about-natos-summit-in-turkey Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What to know about NATO's summit in Turkey World Jul 7, 2026 12:14 PM EDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts are gathering in Turkey on Tuesday for a two-day summit that comes at a turning point in the organization's history as the United States steps back from its traditional security role in Europe. Ahead of the meeting in Ankara, Trump has insisted on "loyalty" after some NATO countries balked at allowing U.S. forces to use their bases for attacks on Iran. He listed big European members Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain for criticism. WATCH: Trump says in Erdogan meeting that U.S. will lift Turkey sanctions, consider selling F-35s A NATO summit is a highly symbolic moment when the 32 member countries of the world's biggest military alliance underline their unshakeable commitment to one another's security. This year, though, the trans-Atlantic bond has rarely seemed more fragile. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Still, the meeting is being organized around the theme of a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO. The Trump administration has called for a reboot to a "NATO 3.0," and it's hoped that what this really means will become clearer over the next two days. A presidential compound for a venue President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hosting the summit at his vast Bestepe Presidential Compound on the western edge of the Turkish capital, Ankara. A new airport, converted from an old military airfield, has been unveiled especially to host NATO leaders. Security will be high. Air defenses are on alert, and tens of thousands of police will be on duty. Nearby neighborhoods are closed to traffic and some state workers have been given time off to help keep roads unclogged. Public gatherings are banned. READ MORE: NATO chief demands allies present credible plans to reach defense spending targets More than a dozen people were detained in security sweeps ahead of the summit, including two journalists, the Turkish Journalists Association said. On Tuesday evening, Erdogan will host a dinner in his "Winter Garden." Top officials from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will join their NATO partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend. As they dine, foreign ministers will hold a NATO Ukraine Council, while the alliance's defense ministers will meet with their Indo-Pacific counterparts. A separate meeting with officials from Gulf Arab countries will also take place, and Trump will meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. NATO leaders alone will hold a single working session on Wednesday morning. They'll publish a short statement summarizing the resul