Erdogan hosts NATO leaders at Ankara reception

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and first lady Emine Erdogan welcomed leaders and their spouses on the steps of the presidential complex in Ankara on Tuesday evening, greeting each guest individually before posing for commemorative photographs at the start of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. The reception took place in the winter garden section of the complex, where guests were served dishes from Turkish cuisine while the Turkish Armed Forces' military band performed traditional marches. US President Donald Trump appeared to enjoy the performance, giving a thumbs-up in appreciation as the Mehter band played.

Family photo session

Before the dinner, a family photo was taken with Erdogan and the first lady positioned at the center; French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife stood to their right, while US President Donald Trump stood to their left. Erdogan also held brief conversations with several leaders during the photo session, though details of the exchanges were not disclosed. The gathering brought together leaders from NATO's 32 member countries alongside the Asia-Pacific Four partners — Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea — as well as other invited heads of state and government.

Summit agenda

The Ankara meeting marks the second NATO summit hosted by Türkiye, following the 2004 Istanbul summit, and provides a platform for bilateral discussions on political, security and economic cooperation between Ankara and allied nations. Leaders are expected to discuss Europe’s defense capacity, the alliance’s defense spending targets, military modernization efforts, and continued support for Ukraine during the two-day gathering. The summit also facilitates side meetings between member states, with Erdogan holding separate talks earlier Tuesday with Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Wednesday schedule

On Wednesday, Erdogan will deliver the opening speech of the summit before joining other NATO leaders for a formal family photo session. The gathering represents a significant diplomatic moment for Ankara as it reinforces its position within the alliance while hosting key partners from the Asia-Pacific region. Bilateral meetings between Türkiye and other member states are expected to continue throughout the day.