Key facts
- Turkey is enhancing security for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
- Thousands of police are being deployed in Turkey for the summit.
Turkey is bolstering security for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, deploying thousands of police and placing air defenses on high alert to ensure the event's safety and demonstrate its commitment to the alliance. Ahead of the summit, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss regional security and summit preparations. Meanwhile, plans for Albania to host the NATO summit in 2027 are facing uncertainty due to US concerns over the country's defense spending, with a draft statement omitting Albania as the next host.

Turkey is implementing extensive security measures for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, deploying thousands of police officers and placing air defenses on high alert. These measures are intended to safeguard the event and underscore Turkey's commitment to the NATO alliance, even as the nation manages complex relationships with its allies. The summit's security preparations highlight Turkey's role in ensuring the safety of such significant international gatherings.
In parallel with these preparations, Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Their discussions will focus on regional security issues and the ongoing preparations for the NATO summit. This visit aims to strengthen ties between the EU and Turkey, particularly in light of the persistent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
However, the future hosting of NATO summits faces uncertainty, with plans for Albania to host the 2027 summit reportedly in doubt. This uncertainty stems from US reluctance and concerns regarding Albania's defense spending. A draft statement for the upcoming summit in Turkey has omitted any mention of Albania as the next host, signaling potential shifts in future summit locations. The omission suggests that Albania's bid to host in 2027 is not currently favored, possibly due to unmet defense spending expectations or other strategic considerations by key allies like the United States.
Turkey is implementing extensive security measures for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, deploying thousands of police officers and placing air defenses on high alert. These measures are intended to safeguard the event and underscore Turkey's commitment to the NATO alliance, even as the nation manages complex relationships with its allies. The summit's security preparations highlight Turkey's role in ensuring the safety of such significant international gatherings.