Zelenskyy says Ukraine will attend NATO summit in Ankara

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Sunday that Ukraine will participate in the upcoming NATO summit hosted by Türkiye in Ankara on July 7-8, according to Interfax-Ukraine. Speaking at a joint news conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said: “Regarding the NATO summit, Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Türkiye.” He added that the specifics—how, in what format, and by whom—are still too early to determine. The announcement marks continued high-level engagement between Kyiv and the NATO alliance amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Ukraine-Moldova talks

Zelenskyy and Sandu met earlier Sunday in Kyiv to discuss security, cross-border cooperation, energy, infrastructure development, intergovernmental work, and both countries’ paths toward European Union membership. Sandu arrived in the Ukrainian capital to attend memorial events marking the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, which spread radioactive contamination across Europe in 1986. The two leaders also emphasized the importance of continued Western support for their nations against Russian aggression and hybrid threats.

Türkiye’s role as summit host

For Türkiye, hosting the NATO summit in Ankara is a major diplomatic event that underscores its strategic importance within the alliance. Türkiye has played a unique role in the Russia-Ukraine war, acting as a mediator while also supplying Ukraine with Bayraktar drones and hosting peace talks in Istanbul. Ankara has also controlled access to the Black Sea under the Montreux Convention, limiting Russian naval movements. Zelenskyy’s confirmation of Ukrainian participation signals trust in Türkiye’s ability to facilitate meaningful discussions, even as Ankara maintains a delicate balance with Moscow.