A key message on U.S. participation came from Washington ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Donald Trump will attend the summit in Türkiye in person. Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio said the meeting would not be a routine summit, but a platform where several issues within NATO would need to be clarified and addressed.
Rubio comments on Ankara Summit
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio answered questions from members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
During the session, which focused on President Donald Trump’s 2027 fiscal year budget request for the State Department and other international issues, Rubio also briefed lawmakers on the upcoming NATO Summit.
Rubio said President Trump will personally attend the next NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara.
“It may be one of the most important meetings in NATO history”
Pointing to the importance of the summit that will be hosted by Türkiye in July, Rubio said the meeting would carry special significance for NATO.
Rubio said, “I think the next NATO meeting in Türkiye in July will probably be one of the most important meetings in NATO history.”
Message of change within the alliance
Rubio also recalled that the United States remains a member of NATO, while stressing that the alliance needs major changes in some areas.
He said there are “certain things that need to be clarified and corrected” at the Ankara summit.
The NATO Summit is scheduled to take place in Ankara on July 7-8.
