2026 Ankara NATO Summit

2026 Ankara NATO Summit, officially known as the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, is planned to be held in Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, at the Presidential Complex in Beştepe on 7–8 July 2026, with the participation of the heads of state and government of the 32 member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). ^【1】 Türkiye’s hosting of the summit was officially announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on 19 August 2025. This marks Türkiye’s second time hosting a NATO summit, following the 2004 Istanbul Summit.^【2】

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on 19 August 2025 that the 2026 NATO Summit would take place on 7–8 July 2026 at the Beştepe Presidential Complex in Ankara.^. In his statement, Rutte thanked Türkiye for its longstanding commitment to NATO, describing the country as “a strong ally for over 70 years” and one that has made “an invaluable contribution to collective security.” The Secretary General added, “At the next summit, leaders will strengthen NATO further to ensure it is more robust, fair and effective in responding to critical challenges to our security.”

Türkiye’s hosting of the summit was also confirmed in the outcome declaration of the previous NATO summit held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 24–25 June 2025. The The Hague Summit Declaration stated that allies expected their next meeting to be held in Türkiye in 2026 and the following one in Albania.^【3】

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on 3 June 2026 that President Donald Trump would “personally attend” the summit in Ankara. Rubio stated he believed the meeting in Ankara would “likely be the most important summit in NATO’s history” and noted that there were “certain issues that needed clarification and correction.” ^【4】

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during an appearance on Anadolu Ajansı’s Editor’s Panel, emphasized the summit’s significance, stating: “Perhaps it will be the most important summit in NATO’s history.”^【5】

^{NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, 18 June 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Türkiye first hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. According to an Anadolu Ajansı compilation, at that time NATO had 26 members and its primary focus was counterterrorism, with the alliance prioritizing the enhancement of its capabilities to address threats beyond the Euro-Atlantic region following the 11 September 2001 attacks.

The same compilation notes that the 2004 Istanbul Summit endorsed the expansion of the stabilization mission in Afghanistan, initiated the idea of training Iraqi security forces, and launched the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) to deepen cooperation with Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The summit confirmed the need for the alliance to “evolve from traditional defense to global security and crisis management capacity.”^【6】

At the 2004 Istanbul Summit, seven new member countries were admitted: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.^【7】

One of the key developments shaping the agenda of the 2026 Ankara Summit was the defense spending decision adopted at the The Hague Summit held on 24–25 June 2025. The The Hague Summit Declaration reaffirmed allies’ commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and pledged to invest 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually by 2035 to meet core defense needs and related security expenditures.

_{The Hague NATO Leaders Summit, 25 June 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

According to the declaration, this 5% target consists of two categories: allies will allocate at least 3.5% of GDP annually to meet core defense needs and NATO Capability Targets, and up to 1.5% of GDP annually to safeguard critical infrastructure, defend networks, enhance civil preparedness and resilience, promote innovation and strengthen the defense industrial base. The declaration also states that the allocation and balance of these expenditures will be reviewed in 2029, that allies have maintained their commitments to Ukraine and that direct contributions to Ukraine’s defense will count toward defense spending targets.^【8】

According to a statement from Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications on 24 June 2026, Türkiye will host not only the 32 heads of state and government of NATO member countries, but also a large number of invited leaders, nearly 100 ministers, numerous senior diplomats, representatives of international organizations and thousands of foreign guests. It was also reported that leaders from nine additional countries will attend the summit as guests.^【9】

It was confirmed that all heads of state and government of NATO’s 32 member states, following Sweden’s accession, will meet in Ankara. The main leaders expected to attend include:

• President of the United States Donald Trump
• Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz
• Prime Minister of Hungary Péter Magyar
• President of Poland Karol Nawrocki
• Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre
• Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden
• Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis
• President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Kyiv, stated that “Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Türkiye.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking to journalists in Toronto on 12 June 2026, described Türkiye as a “remarkably important NATO ally” and a “significant regional power,” and confirmed his attendance at the summit in Ankara on 7–8 July.^【10】

According to an Anadolu Ajansı report on 10 June 2026, participation is also expected from NATO’s partners, including Zelensky and European Union officials, as well as NATO’s Asia-Pacific partners—Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand—and participants from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative established at the 2004 Istanbul Summit.

The summit’s agenda is expected to include defense spending, the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East security, NATO’s new strategic direction and the balance of U.S.-Europe relations. According to NATO spokesperson Allison Hart, the summit will focus on “how allies are implementing the commitments made at last year’s The Hague Summit, including increasing defense investments, expanding defense industry production and sustaining support for Ukraine.”^【11】

The implementation of the 5% defense spending target adopted at The Hague Summit is emerging as a central agenda item for the Ankara Summit. Currently, only the Baltic states and Poland are close to meeting this target, and it is claimed that the United States accounts for a significant portion of NATO’s total defense spending, which exceeds $1.3 trillion.

According to Anadolu Ajansı, the Trump administration has become more insistent on the long-standing issue of “burden sharing” and has begun speaking of “transferring the burden” from the U.S. to Europe, contributing to tensions in transatlantic relations. At the Ankara Summit, it is expected that the focus will shift to translating these spending increases into concrete military capabilities and urging member states to fulfill their commitments to enhance capacity, innovation and cooperation within their defense industries.

Another key agenda item is the transformation of the alliance, described as “NATO 3.0”. The U.S. administration defines the alliance’s evolution since the Cold War into a global security actor as “NATO 2.0” and now advocates for a new phase, “NATO 3.0”, which resembles the original collective defense focus of “NATO 1.0”. It is claimed that the U.S. wants Europe to lead this new concept, anticipating a reduction in the capabilities and forces it provides to Europe and demanding that European allies assume greater responsibility under the framework of “burden transfer.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking after the Defense Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 18 June 2026, stated that defense ministers agreed on the new era described by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “NATO 3.0.” Rutte said: “This alliance is likely undergoing its largest transformation in history to build NATO 3.0, which inevitably means enduring difficult periods. We are passing through a very turbulent time.”^【12】

Continued support for Ukraine is among the summit’s key agenda items. Following the European Union’s agreement, after Hungary lifted its veto, to provide Ukraine with a €9 billion credit for 2026–2027, discussions on support mechanisms are expected at the summit. On 18 June 2026, the NATO Ukraine Defense Contact Group convened during the NATO Defense Ministers’ Meeting and announced new support pledges.

Rutte, in his 18 June 2026 statement, highlighted the rapid increase in Russia’s defense spending, noting that nearly 48% of its state budget is allocated to defense, and stressed that the Russian threat must not be underestimated. He pointed out, however, that Russia’s economy is smaller than the combined economies of Belgium and the Netherlands, emphasized NATO’s superior strength and underscored the need to maintain the alliance’s deterrent capability.

Among the regional issues on the agenda, the foremost is the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, which began on 28 February 2026, and the resulting Strait of Hormuz crisis. After the campaign began, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, and the U.S. administration accused its allies of “failing to provide sufficient support,” causing friction in transatlantic relations.

Speaking after the NATO Defense Ministers’ Meeting on 18 June 2026, Rutte noted that Iran had moved further away from its nuclear weapons goal than at any time in the past as a result of U.S. actions, adding: “We are all pleased by the possibility of peace that emerged after the agreement between the U.S. and Iran.” He also referred to the initiative led by France and the United Kingdom to reopen the Strait of Hormuz safely, which has received support from over 40 countries, and noted that NATO’s potential role in any operation remains unclear, but that the alliance stands ready to contribute if needed.^【13】

In the period leading up to the summit, the Strait of Hormuz issue became central to tensions between President Trump and his allies. In an interview with the Financial Times on 16 March 2026, Trump warned that if allies did not help open the Strait, NATO would face a “very bad” future. He stated: “If there is no response or a negative response, I think it will be very bad for NATO’s future.” He argued that Europe possesses far more mine countermeasure vessels than the U.S. and should deploy them.

In a statement at the White House on 18 March 2026, Trump accused NATO members of making a “foolish mistake” by refusing to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict with Iran, asserting that the U.S. did not need assistance from its allies. Many allies have adopted a position of non-involvement in the war. French President Emmanuel Macron stated: “We are not a party to the conflict; therefore, France will never participate in any operation to reopen or free the Strait of Hormuz.” EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas said: “This is not Europe’s war. We did not start it. We were not consulted.”

In the period leading up to the Ankara Summit, NATO is preparing to meet amid rising disagreements among members and intensifying transatlantic tensions. The U.S. administration’s insistence on burden sharing, frequent references to the idea of “purchasing” Greenland, and accusations that allies have “failed to provide sufficient support” following the Iran conflict have become prominent points of contention within the alliance.

The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on 2 May 2026 that it would withdraw approximately 5,000 troops stationed in Germany within 6 to 12 months. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the decision followed a comprehensive review of conditions on the ground.^【14】

According to U.S. military data, as of the end of 2025, over 36,400 U.S. troops were stationed in Germany, making it the second-largest U.S. military base outside the United States after Japan.

It is claimed that the direct cause of the decision was remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who expressed doubt that the U.S. could swiftly end its campaign in Iran and stated that “An entire nation (the U.S.) is being humiliated by Iran’s leadership.” In response, Trump posted on social media: “Merz thinks it is no problem that Iran has nuclear weapons. He doesn’t know what he is talking about.” According to TIME magazine, Trump told reporters in Florida that after the 5,000, “We will cut even more. We are cutting far more than 5,000.”^【15】

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the troop withdrawal decision as “predictable” but added: “The presence of American troops in Europe, especially in Germany, serves the interests of both us and the United States.” He confirmed that 30,000 U.S. troops will remain stationed in Germany despite the withdrawal. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart stated that efforts are underway to understand the details of the U.S.-Germany agreement on military deployments.

The U.S. Congress also reacted to the decision. Chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, expressed “extreme concern” about the troop withdrawal, warning that the move could send a “wrong signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Euronews, a U.S. defense law enacted in 2026 limits the Pentagon’s ability to significantly reduce troop numbers in Europe. Under Section 1249 of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon cannot reduce its troop levels in Europe below 76,000 for more than 45 days unless it documents that the reduction serves U.S. national security interests, consults with NATO allies beforehand and submits a detailed report to Congress.^【16】

The U.S. troop reduction process is not limited to Germany. The Pentagon announced it has reduced the number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) deployed in Europe from four to three, citing this change as the reason for delaying the deployment of 4,000 additional U.S. troops to Poland.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in a statement in Brussels on 20 May 2026, emphasized that the U.S. troop withdrawal would “have no impact on NATO’s defense plans” and that the process would be gradual and “structured.” Rutte noted that the U.S. should shift more focus toward Asia, while Europe, together with Canada, should assume a larger role.^【17】

Another axis of transatlantic tension is believed to be the disagreement between the U.S. and Spain. Spain hosts some of the most strategically significant U.S. facilities in Europe, including the Rota Naval Base and Morón Air Base. Spain raised its defense spending to 2% of GDP in 2025 but openly objected to the 5% target adopted at The Hague Summit, arguing that it could meet NATO capability requirements with spending of around 2.1% and secured flexibility from NATO.

Tensions between the U.S. and Spain are said to have deepened after Spain opposed the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez labeled the attacks “illegal,” and Spain refused to allow the Rota Naval Base and Morón Air Base to be used for operations linked to the conflict, restricting access to its airspace. In March 2026, Trump described Spain as “terrible” at the White House and warned that Washington could reduce commercial ties with Madrid.^【18】

On 21 May 2026, U.S. President Trump announced on Truth Social that, in light of his good relations with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, he had decided to send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland.^. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking at the GLOBSEC Forum 2026 in Prague, welcomed the decision.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul emphasized that the focus should be on NATO’s capabilities rather than troop numbers and expressed confidence that the Ankara Summit would demonstrate unity. When asked what a “good outcome” from the Ankara Summit would look like, Wadephul replied: “A good outcome is when we all recognize that the promises we have made to each other are being fulfilled.”^【19】

In the period leading up to the summit, discussions emerged regarding the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from NATO. According to an Al Jazeera report on 8 April 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran as a “test” of the alliance’s failure, stating, “They were tested and they failed,” in reference to President Trump. The same report indicated that Trump had “discussed” withdrawing from NATO.

A Reuters report on 24 June 2026 claimed that Trump was angry at NATO for its “reluctance to support the U.S. in the Middle East conflict” and for failing to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S.-Israel attack on 28 February. The report also suggested that some European countries feared Washington might fully withdraw from the alliance, an extraordinary step that would cast doubt on NATO’s future.

Another source of tension between the U.S. and its allies is the issue of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark. The U.S. administration’s frequent suggestion to “purchase” Greenland has sparked debate within the alliance.

Defense ministers of NATO countries met on 18 June 2026 at NATO headquarters in Brussels to prepare for the Ankara Summit and to discuss steps to strengthen the alliance’s defense capabilities. In his opening remarks, Mark Rutte said: “This meeting is the final crucial stage before our summit in Ankara in three weeks.” Turkey was represented by National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.^【20】

^{NATO Defense Ministers’ Meeting, 18 June 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Following the meeting, Rutte stated that defense ministers had agreed to accelerate transatlantic defense cooperation. He referred to the six-month “Defense Department Review” announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the opening to assess the deployment of U.S. forces in Europe. Rutte emphasized that the U.S. review of its military presence in Europe does not undermine NATO’s collective defense commitments and that the assumption that all necessary support would be provided under Article 5 of the alliance remains valid.

At the same meeting, members of the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) convened to address NATO’s nuclear capabilities. Rutte stated: “We will continue to modernize our nuclear capabilities, refine our planning and make necessary adaptations to ensure our nuclear deterrence remains credible and effective.” According to Anadolu Ajansı, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth sharply criticized some NATO allies over defense spending and left the meeting early; Rutte clarified that Hegseth had attended for approximately two hours and departed only due to a previously scheduled commitment.

^{NATO Defense Ministers’ Meeting, 18 June 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

On 24 June 2026, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. The meeting is said to have aimed at easing tensions over the Iran war and U.S. threats to reduce its military presence in Europe ahead of the July summit. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart stated that Rutte’s visit was part of the final preparations for the 7–8 July summit.^【21】 This was Rutte’s fifth visit to the White House since Trump returned to office last year.

During the joint press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his criticism of NATO allies for not joining the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran. He claimed the U.S. had inflicted a major defeat on Iran within the first week and did not need assistance from allies, but added that it would still be positive if allies offered support. Rutte, at the start of the meeting, presented a series of charts showing increased defense spending among NATO members, affirmed U.S. support for the operation against Iran and argued that Iran remains a threat to the region and the world. Rutte noted that during the six weeks of conflict, 4,000 to 5,000 U.S. aircraft had taken off from European bases, highlighting the role these bases played, and stressed that the issues troubling Trump were isolated cases, not representative of the overall support provided by European allies.^【22】

During the meeting, Trump assessed the U.S.-Iran negotiations and the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara, noting that Türkiye had not joined the Iran war and expressing satisfaction with this position. Trump emphasized his intention to attend the Ankara Summit out of respect for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating: “Erdoğan is a great leader, a very strong person, and his army is amazing. He loves Türkiye and is doing an amazing job. He is a respected man, a respected leader and my friend.”

In response to a question from CNN Türk U.S. Representative Yunus Paksoy regarding the sale of jet engines and F-35s to Türkiye, Trump replied: “I think we will do that. Türkiye is a NATO member. Some people don’t see it that way, but it is. It is a strong member of NATO. Yes, I will probably do something that will make President Erdoğan very happy.”

Trump also commented on Türkiye’s defense industry: “Türkiye has a massive defense industry base. There are 3,000 companies operating throughout the NATO alliance, including in the U.S. It is so strong that people don’t realize how powerful Türkiye is militarily. Thanks to Erdoğan, Türkiye has a very strong military.”^【23】

After the meeting, Rutte told reporters that he and Trump had discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara and the need for increased defense spending by Europe and Canada. Rutte emphasized that NATO members share a common position on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, asserting that Iran’s acquisition of such weapons would constitute a threat to the entire world, and stated: “Iran must not acquire any nuclear weapons capability.” He affirmed that Trump remains committed to NATO and expects allies to increase their defense spending.

Spain, Rutte noted, has committed to meeting NATO’s defense targets and has pledged to raise its defense spending to 2.2% of GDP. However, Rutte said he did not agree with this assessment, arguing that higher defense spending is necessary to meet the targets, and that this disagreement has persisted since last year.

On the same day as the meeting, the leaders of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland met in Berlin to prepare for the Ankara Summit, with Rutte participating remotely. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Ankara Summit should send a message that Europe is prepared to support a potential peace agreement with Iran if conditions arise. French President Emmanuel Macron said that a period of renewed closeness between Europeans and Americans was underway and expressed hope that this trend would continue at the summit.

Before the leaders’ summit, the parliamentary speakers and delegations of NATO member countries will meet in Istanbul on 28–29 June 2026. The NATO Parliamentary Summit, hosted by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, is expected to bring together the speakers and delegation heads of all 32 allied nations, as well as NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) President Marcos Perestrello.

The NATO Speakers’ Summit will be held on Monday, 29 June, at Dolmabahçe Palace. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to meet with participants at the official lunch and deliver a speech. Later that afternoon, participants will visit the Baykar National Technology Center. It is noted that the Istanbul Parliamentary Summit will be the third such summit, following those held in the U.S. and Belgium.^【24】

According to Anadolu Ajansı, Türkiye, which possesses the second-largest military in NATO after the U.S., is using the summit to strengthen its position within the alliance. Türkiye is expected to raise its demands for rejoining the F-35 program, promote its Çelik Kubbe air defense system and highlight its achievements in the defense industry.

Director of Communications Burhanettin Duran met with representatives of newspapers and television channels on 24 June 2026 to assess the summit. Duran noted that NATO is one of the longest-lasting and most institutionalized security alliances since its founding in 1949, adding: “NATO’s distinguishing feature is its ability to renew itself as threats change.”

Duran outlined Türkiye’s evolving role within NATO: “When Türkiye joined NATO in 1952, it was positioned as a frontline country in the alliance’s southeast. Today, that role has changed. Türkiye has moved from the periphery to the center of NATO. Türkiye is no longer merely a country defending NATO’s borders; it is a central ally on nearly every issue concerning NATO.” Duran described the Russia-Ukraine war, developments in Gaza and U.S.-Iran tensions as crises confronting NATO on multiple fronts, and noted that Türkiye’s approach has been to avoid escalating tensions, prevent deepening conflict and open space for diplomacy.

Duran stated that Ankara aims to reach the 3.5%+1.5% defense spending target by the end of 2030. He also noted that the Defense Industry Forum will be included for the first time in the summit’s official program, and that a special session of foreign ministers will be held under the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, which was launched in 2004 and includes Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, with the NATO Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Foreign Ministers’ Meeting taking place.

In his assessment of the summit, Duran stated: “The 2026 Ankara Summit is not merely a matter of hosting. It is a diplomatic stage showcasing Türkiye’s rising weight within NATO. The summit will simultaneously highlight Türkiye’s military contribution, defense industry, crisis management capacity and leadership diplomacy.” Duran also noted that Türkiye is preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its NATO membership next year.^【25】

In preparation for the summit, security and transportation measures in Ankara have been raised to the highest level. A “red zone” will be implemented around Esenboğa Airport, the summit venue, protocol routes and areas where delegations will be accommodated. The routes between Esenboğa Airport and Etimesgut Airport, the Söğütözü neighborhood where the Presidential Complex is located, the areas surrounding the 15 hotels hosting summit participants and transit corridors will be designated as red zones, with controlled access for vehicles and pedestrians.^【26】

^{In Ankara, preparatory work continues across the city ahead of the NATO Summit on 7–8 July 2026, 23 June 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

According to the Directorate of Communications’ statement on 24 June 2026, a total of 56,288 security personnel will be deployed, including 48,841 police and 7,447 gendarmerie personnel. Additionally, 639 personnel will conduct uninterrupted cyber patrols to combat cybercrime and security threats.^【27】

For the summit’s security, units specializing in counterterrorism, intelligence, cybercrime, public order, CBRN, traffic, special operations and gendarmerie commandos will be deployed. In addition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s aircraft, other leaders’ planes will land at Etimesgut Airport. A special tour program covering Ankara’s historical and tourist sites will be organized for the spouses of summit participants. According to the Directorate of Communications, three airports—Esenboğa, Mürted and a third designated for summit operations—will provide services to participants.

On 22 June 2026, the Ankara Governor’s Office announced a series of security measures under Article 17 of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and Article 11/C of Law No. 5442 on Provincial Administration. Unauthorized vehicles and individuals will be barred from entering designated sensitive areas, including the summit venue, accommodation zones for delegations and transit corridors.

According to the same announcement, all unmanned aerial vehicles (drones, etc.) will be prohibited from flying in Ankara’s airspace without official permission during the summit period. Additionally, gatherings, meetings, demonstrations, press statements, hunger strikes, sit-ins, protests, rallies, stall setups, tent installations, distribution of leaflets, posters or brochures, and hanging banners or posters will be banned from 00:00 on 28 June 2026 to 23:59 on 10 July 2026 (13 days).^【28】

In a circular dated 4 June 2026, signed by Ankara Governor Yakup Canbolat and based on a letter from the Presidency of the Republic, all public institutions and organizations within the districts of Altındağ, Çankaya, Etimesgut, Gölbaşı, Keçiören, Mamak, Pursaklar, Sincan and Yenimahalle were instructed to grant administrative leave to all staff except those assigned to critical services directly related to the summit.

According to the circular, personnel in essential sectors such as healthcare, security, migration, transportation, logistics, the 112 Emergency Call Center, infrastructure, communications, firefighting, emergency response and disaster management will remain on duty. Public institutions and civil society organizations are prohibited from holding public events such as exams, symposiums, panels, graduation ceremonies, festivals, concerts, entertainment or celebrations between 06:00 on Monday, 7 July and 24:00 on Sunday, 12 July. Weddings and similar events outside the designated sensitive areas are exempt from the ban, while those within them require approval from local district governorates.

^{In Ankara, preparatory work continues across the city ahead of the NATO Summit on 7–8 July 2026, 23 June 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

According to an announcement from the Presidential Library, the library will close at 23:59 on Friday, 3 July, and reopen at 09:00 on Friday, 10 July, due to the summit at the Presidential Complex.

According to the Directorate of Communications, approximately 3,000 journalists, television crews, photo reporters, digital media representatives and international broadcasters have applied for accreditation to cover the summit. The summit will be organized according to a standard template established by the NATO Secretariat; all meetings between leaders will be conducted as closed sessions and managed under NATO’s highest level of confidentiality.

According to the announcement, only a brief video segment will be made available to the media at the beginning of the summit, during which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will deliver a short statement outlining the summit’s agenda. The Directorate of Communications has established a NATO media task force to manage media and broadcasting activities, accreditation processes, promotional campaigns, crisis communication and public diplomacy. The national broadcaster TRT will broadcast the summit live to the world from 80 cameras at 26 different locations.

According to the Directorate of Communications, numerous side events will be held alongside the 36th NATO Summit. These include the NATO Parliamentary Summit at Dolmabahçe Palace on 28–29 June; the SAM-Chatham House Workshop for permanent representatives and ambassadors in Ankara on 6 July; the “NATO Ankara Summit Dialogues” panel series on 7 July; the SETA-MSC “Allies at Ankara” event and the Transatlantic Political Planners Roundtable on 7–8 July; and the “NATO Allies in Ankara” program, co-organized by the Munich Security Conference and the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), at Ankara Palas on 7–8 July.