NATO releases Ankara summit programme, with Ukraine high on agenda

NATO has released the official programme for its summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara, where allied leaders will meet on July 7–8 to discuss defence cooperation, security challenges and support for Ukraine.

The summit will open at 10:00 a.m. local time on July 7 with the Defence Industry Forum, bringing together senior NATO officials, representatives of member and partner countries, defence industry executives and innovation leaders. Several defence cooperation agreements are expected to be announced during the event, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media. 

Later in the day, at 2:00 p.m. local time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are scheduled to deliver a brief joint statement. Zelenskyy will lead the Ukrainian delegation at the summit.

A social reception and dinner for NATO heads of state and government and their spouses will take place in the evening, with Zelenskyy also expected to attend.

At 7:45 p.m. local time, foreign ministers will convene for a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, which is scheduled to take place over dinner.

The first day will conclude with a meeting between NATO defence ministers and representatives from the Alliance's Indo-Pacific partners—Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia.

On July 8, NATO leaders will be formally welcomed by Secretary General Mark Rutte and the President of Türkiye before the North Atlantic Council convenes at the level of heads of state and government at 11:15 a.m.

Following the leaders' meeting, Rutte is expected to present the summit's conclusions and key decisions at a press conference scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time.

By Sabina Mammadli