Trump Moves Closer to Erdogan, US President Signals Attendance at NATO Summit: I Will Go to Ankara Just for That

Donald Trump said he will attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara mainly because of the regard he has for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He made it quite clear that, if it were being held in another country, there is a strong chance he would not take part. Speaking to reporters at the White House, the American president described Turkey as one of the alliance’s most important military powers, noting that its potential is often not given enough consideration.

Trump also highlighted the country’s large stockpiles of military equipment, as well as its long-standing defense cooperation with the United States.

“I believe I would not go if the summit were not being held in Turkey. But I respect President Erdogan, so I will take part,” Trump said.

According to international media, these remarks show the personal closeness between Trump and Erdogan, at a time when Turkey’s strategic weight and regional influence within NATO are growing.

The American president also suggested that he could take a step that would greatly please Ankara, when he was asked about Turkey’s request for F-35 fighter jets and jet engines, as well as the possibility of whether he would travel there “with a big bag of gifts.” The NATO summit in Ankara is scheduled to take place on July 7 and 8.