Zelensky lands in Turkey for NATO summit, Trump meeting
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President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Ankara on July 7 for the two-day NATO summit, where he is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and seek to drum up support for Ukraine.
The summit takes place shortly after Russia launched yet another deadly attack against Kyiv, while Ukrainian air defenses are said to have run out of U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors.
"We expect a strong and productive NATO Summit. Decisions are needed now that will provide greater protection for our people, more capabilities for our defense, and even stronger security cooperation between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States," Zelensky said on X.
Zelensky is first scheduled to attend the NATO Defense Industry Forum on July 7, where he will meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other allied leaders. Kyiv is expected to sign new drone defense cooperation deals with European partners at the event, according to Zelensky's office.
The following day, the Ukrainian president will meet his U.S. counterpart to discuss a possible path toward ending the war with Russia, two people familiar with the planning told the Kyiv Independent.
One of Ukraine's main priorities during the meeting will be Kyiv's lack of Patriot interceptors, one official said.
During the summit, the allies are also expected to pledge 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in annual defense aid for Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, a sum that includes no financial contributions from the U.S.
There are concerns, however, that the war in Ukraine will once again be overshadowed by a widening rift between Trump and European allies.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously said Trump would use the event to voice displeasure with NATO allies who refused to back his war against Iran.
The allies are also expected to review progress toward the new defense spending target of 5% of GDP agreed last year in The Hague, and assess how to translate these funds into increased defense production.
