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US President Donald Trump has arrived in Ankara, Türkiye, ahead of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, setting the stage for a series of closely watched meetings that could reshape regional security and defense cooperation.
Air Force One landed at Ankara Airport on July 7, as world leaders gathered for the alliance's annual summit amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine, The Caspian Post reports via CNN.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally welcomed President Trump at Ankara Airport upon his arrival in the Turkish capital ahead of the NATO summit.
During the high-profile gathering, Trump is scheduled to take part in meetings of NATO heads of state and government, where alliance leaders will discuss key security challenges and regional issues. He is also expected to hold a series of bilateral talks with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
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One of the most closely watched developments is the possibility that Trump could signal support for selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to Türkiye. Such a move would mark a dramatic reversal of the restrictions imposed during Trump's first term, when Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program over its purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.
Trump is also expected to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the war in Ukraine expected to dominate discussions. During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, but his administration has yet to present a breakthrough peace initiative.
The NATO summit is expected to focus on strengthening the alliance's collective defense, military spending, and continued support for Ukraine, while Trump's meetings in Ankara are likely to draw global attention for their potential impact on transatlantic relations and regional security.
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