The 2026 NATO summit in Ankara (July 7-8) marks a pivotal moment for the alliance, with leaders adopting a 'NATO 3.0' doctrine expanding the alliance's focus into the Middle East, Black Sea, and Caucasus. US President Donald Trump will hold bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines, following a July 4 phone call with Zelensky agreeing to continue talks in Ankara, and a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirming readiness to facilitate peace. German Deputy Defense Minister Nils Schmid confirmed that all European allies now meet the 2% GDP defense spending target and are progressing toward the new 3.5% benchmark, while also expressing interest in German-Turkish cooperation on long-range missiles. The summit comes amid heightened security in Ankara, where Turkish authorities have arrested over 200 journalists, academics, and activists ahead of the summit, imposed a ban on public gatherings, and deployed nearly 56,000 security personnel. The gathering will also host a Defense Industry Forum with billions of dollars in expected announcements, and side events including the 'Allies in Ankara' program organized with the Munich Security Conference. The summit is seen as critical for redefining transatlantic burden-sharing and addressing security challenges from Ukraine to the Middle East.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments. Separately, Al Thani received Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Doha, reaffirming Qatar's support for Syria's unity, sovereignty, independence, reconstruction, and stability.