Romania prepares for NATO summit in Ankara

President Nicușor Dan will lead Romania’s delegation to the NATO summit in Ankara on 7‑8 July 2026, accompanied by Defence Minister Radu Miruță, Chief of the General Staff General Gheorghiță Vlad and other senior officials. The summit, hosted by Turkey, will bring together the alliance’s 32 heads of state, including U.S. President Donald Trump, to address the deteriorating security climate caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.

Romania’s agenda focuses on reinforcing collective defence, especially on the alliance’s Eastern flank and the Black Sea. Officials plan to request additional NATO investment in anti‑drone systems, maritime surveillance sensors, and broader defence‑industry cooperation, highlighted by participation in the NATO Security and Defence Industry Forum. The country also seeks stronger commitments for continued support to Ukraine and for increased defence spending to meet the 5 % of GDP target.

Despite General Vlad being under a criminal investigation in Romania, he will still represent the Romanian Armed Forces at the summit. The delegation intends to use the meeting to underline Romania’s strategic role in regional security and to push for concrete capability upgrades for both air and maritime defence.