Trump arrives in Ankara for NATO summit, F-35 jets on agenda

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to attend the 36th NATO leaders' summit. The summit's agenda includes increasing allied defense investment and bolstering support for Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion.

Trump's presidential plane landed at a military airport in the Turkish capital, where he was personally greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This marks the first visit by a U.S. president to Turkey in eleven years, since Barack Obama attended the G20 summit in Antalya in 2015.

Following a brief informal exchange, Trump and Erdogan proceeded to the Bestepe Presidential Complex for the summit, which runs through Wednesday. A bilateral meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. According to The New York Times, Trump is reportedly prepared to inform Erdogan of his willingness to reinstate Turkey's access to modern American F-35 fighter jets.

The Turkish president's personal airport reception is considered unusual, as he typically awaits state guests at the presidential palace. Security measures in Ankara were heightened for Trump's visit, with road closures and a significant police and military presence, including U.S. military personnel and advanced technology vehicles near his hotel.