US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will travel to Turkey later this year, marking his first public acknowledgment of the planned visit. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The trip is expected to coincide with the NATO summit scheduled in Ankara in July. The announcement underscores ongoing diplomatic coordination between Washington and Ankara ahead of the high-level meeting.
The NATO summit of heads of state and government is set for July 7 and 8 in Turkey’s capital. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously informed lawmakers that Trump would attend the gathering. Turkish officials have also indicated that Trump’s participation has been discussed in recent phone calls with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The confirmation adds momentum to preparations for the major alliance meeting.
The visit highlights the continued importance of US-Turkey relations within NATO’s strategic framework. Both countries are expected to engage in discussions on security, regional conflicts, and alliance priorities. Turkey’s role as host places Ankara at the center of key diplomatic engagement this summer. The summit is likely to draw attention to defense cooperation and geopolitical tensions.
Earlier statements from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested that Trump had repeatedly expressed intent to attend the summit. His confirmation now removes uncertainty around US participation at the highest level. Diplomatic channels between Washington and Ankara have remained active in recent weeks. Officials continue to coordinate logistics and agenda items for the summit.
The NATO meeting comes at a time of heightened global security challenges. Leaders are expected to address ongoing conflicts and alliance readiness. Trump’s presence is likely to be a focal point of the summit proceedings. Further details on bilateral meetings and side discussions are expected closer to the event.