Trump to meet Zelensky and Syrian leader at NATO summit in Turkey

President Donald J. Trump departed Washington on Monday evening for Ankara, Turkey, to attend the two‑day annual NATO summit. According to a senior White House official, the former president will use the trip to hold bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa. The meetings are slated for Wednesday, amid ongoing discussions on security cooperation and regional stability in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The NATO summit, which convenes leaders from member states to review collective defense priorities, will also provide a platform for Trump to address broader geopolitical issues. Zelensky’s presence underscores Ukraine’s continued engagement with Western allies, while al‑Sharaa’s attendance reflects Turkey’s role as a mediator in the Syrian conflict. The White House has not released a detailed agenda for the bilateral sessions, but officials say they will cover military aid, diplomatic initiatives, and potential economic partnerships.

As the summit concludes, Trump is expected to return to Washington with a clearer sense of his administration’s foreign‑policy stance. The meetings with Zelensky and al‑Sharaa are seen as a key element of his effort to reaffirm U.S. commitments to NATO allies and to maintain influence in critical regions.