The NATO summit held in Ankara can be regarded not only as another summit meeting, but also as a demonstration of Türkiye's growing strategic role in the modern international security system. In recent years, the sharp changes in the global geopolitical situation, the reshaping of Europe's security architecture, the war in Ukraine, the continuing tensions in the Middle East, and the increasing strategic importance of the Black Sea region have compelled NATO to formulate new security approaches. It is precisely under such circumstances that holding the summit in Ankara is regarded as an important political message demonstrating Türkiye's growing importance to the Alliance.
The summit became one of the main platforms where NATO's political and military priorities for the upcoming period were discussed. The Alliance's approach toward Russia, its policy of support for Ukraine, the strengthening of collective defense mechanisms, the future of transatlantic relations, and the formation of a unified approach to new security challenges constituted the main topics of the meeting.
Associate Professor at the Academy of Public Administration under the President, political analyst Zaur Mammadov, believes that the Ankara Summit is of particular importance as a significant geopolitical platform determining NATO's future development strategy, the concept of collective security, and the new contours of transatlantic solidarity.
He notes that the NATO Summit in Ankara is of great importance: "The importance of the summit stemmed from the fact that it was necessary to clarify several strategic issues. Among these issues, NATO's future policy, its attitude toward Russia, its position on Ukraine, the form in which it would respond to common threats, as well as relations between the United States and Europe, occupied a special place."
According to the political scientist, the discussions held at the summit showed that further strengthening the common security strategy within NATO is now accepted as a necessity: "At the summit, NATO once again assessed Russia as its biggest rival and the main threat to itself. The discussions held by European countries, Türkiye, the United States, as well as the guests participating in the summit, showed that the importance of pursuing a unified policy in the West is now understood more clearly. From this point of view, the Ankara meeting was of particular importance."
From this perspective, the Ankara Summit was not limited only to the discussion of current issues, but was also remembered as an important stage in terms of determining future strategic approaches within NATO.
Türkiye's geostrategic position is of irreplaceable importance for NATO
One of the main political messages of NATO's gathering in Ankara was the reaffirmation of Türkiye's special place in the Alliance's security system. When Türkiye was admitted to NATO in 1952, its geostrategic position was regarded as one of its main advantages. Over the decades, this importance has not diminished; on the contrary, it has increased even further.
Control over the straits providing access to the Black Sea, its position connecting Europe and Asia, and its proximity to the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia make Türkiye an irreplaceable country for NATO from a strategic point of view. Today, a large part of the Alliance's security issues on both its eastern and southern flanks is directly linked to Türkiye.
According to political scientist Zaur Mammadov, Türkiye is no longer simply an important member within NATO, but the main force connecting the Alliance's various regions: "Today, Türkiye is NATO's unifying force. Without Türkiye, both NATO's eastern and southern flanks could face serious challenges. Whether in the Middle East, in the direction of Iran, in Central Asia, or in Eastern Europe, the Türkiye factor is of great importance."
The expert says that it is precisely this geopolitical reality that makes Türkiye an integral part of NATO's future security concept.
Military potential and defense industry further increase Türkiye's strategic weight
One of the main factors strengthening Türkiye's role within the Alliance is its military capabilities. Possessing NATO's second-largest army after the United States, Türkiye has also achieved significant successes in the defense industry in recent years. Domestic unmanned aerial vehicles, missile systems, warships, armored vehicles, and the national KAAN fighter aircraft project demonstrate that the country's defense industry has entered a qualitatively new stage.
Zaur Mammadov believes that this potential is of strategic importance for NATO: "The size of the Turkish army, its military equipment, its overall military strength, and its economic potential are of strategic importance for NATO. It is no coincidence that these issues were also particularly emphasized by Donald Trump."
The political scientist states that although the decisions adopted at the summit regarding Ukraine and financing issues were important, the more significant outcome is the clearer recognition of Türkiye's irreplaceable role for the Alliance: "Without Türkiye, it is impossible to protect NATO, the Alliance's defense capability could be seriously weakened, and its future enlargement would also become more difficult."
This approach shows that NATO's future security strategy cannot be shaped without taking into account Türkiye's military potential and defense capabilities.
The Ankara Summit once again demonstrated Türkiye's growing international prestige
One of the notable aspects of the summit was the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Ankara. From a diplomatic perspective, the visit also conveyed important messages and was assessed as one of the indicators of Türkiye's political weight within the Alliance.
"Donald Trump's visit to Ankara was one of the notable aspects. Trump's statement that 'if it had been held somewhere else, I would not have gone,' and his expression of great respect for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are indicators of Türkiye's role within NATO," the political scientist emphasized.
According to the expert, Ankara's active foreign policy pursued in recent years, its strong defense industry, and the role it has played in resolving regional crises have further increased Türkiye's international prestige: "Today, Türkiye is one of NATO's main pillars and one of its principal protective forces. The risks associated with NATO's existence without Türkiye are now being understood increasingly better by European countries as well. All of this is the result of the active foreign policy pursued by official Ankara, its strong army, and the principled position it has demonstrated on geopolitical issues."
The political scientist added that the current complex international environment makes closer political coordination among NATO countries necessary: "The sooner NATO countries realize the importance of a unified ideological and political approach and demonstrate unity for a common cause, the more positive the results will be for the Alliance's future and security."
All of this shows that the Ankara Summit can be assessed not only as NATO's next summit meeting, but also as an important geopolitical event at which Türkiye's growing strategic weight within the Alliance, its diplomatic prestige, and the decisive role it plays in the security system were once again reaffirmed.
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