US President Donald Trump has said he is attending the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara out of respect for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that he likely would not have gone if the gathering was being held elsewhere, TRT World reports.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump described Türkiye as a major military power within NATO and said its capabilities are often underestimated. He pointed to the country’s extensive stockpile of military hardware and longstanding defence ties with Washington.
“If the summit was not taking place in Türkiye, I don't think I would have gone to it,” Trump said. “I'm going out of respect to President Erdogan.”
The remarks underline Trump’s warm personal ties with Erdogan at a time when Türkiye’s regional and strategic influence within the alliance is expanding.
Trump also said he is likely to take a step that would make Türkiye "very happy" when asked about Ankara's request for F-35 fighter jets and jet engines.
Asked whether he was going to Türkiye "with a big gift bag," Trump pointed to Türkiye's NATO membership.
"Look, he's (President Recep Tayyip Erdogan) a member of NATO….He's a strong member of NATO," Trump said during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday.
"Yeah, I'm going to probably do something that's going to make him very happy," the US president added.
Türkiye is preparing to host NATO leaders at a summit in the capital, Ankara, on July 7-8.
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