US President Donald Trump departed Joint Base Andrews on Monday, boarding Air Force One to attend the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 7-8. The summit comes amid ongoing tensions within the alliance regarding defense spending, burden-sharing, and the US role in European security.
Schedule and Bilateral Meetings
White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly outlined Trump's itinerary: He will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday afternoon and be greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The schedule includes a State Arrival Ceremony, Honor Guard review, and a bilateral meeting with Erdogan, followed by a NATO Leaders' Social Dinner. On Wednesday, Trump will participate in an official welcome, family photo, and a working session. He will then hold bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa before a press conference and departure, returning to the White House on Wednesday evening.
Context of Tensions
For years, many NATO allies viewed Turkey with suspicion due to its purchase of a Russian air defense system, attacks on Western-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, and its delay of Sweden's NATO bid, according to the Washington Post. However, Trump has shifted the dynamic by calling NATO a 'paper tiger' and stating he is attending the summit primarily for Erdogan. This reflects rocky relations between Trump and European allies.
Erdogan remarked at a recent AK Party meeting: "Ankara's international visibility will increase more than ever before, and our capital will make a name for itself as a centre of global diplomacy," as quoted by the Washington Post. Trump has endorsed Erdogan, calling him "a friend of mine" and "a hell of a leader."
Trump's Stance on NATO
Trump told reporters at the White House last week, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte present: "If not for the fact that it was being held in Turkey by President Erdogan, I don't think I would've gone to it," as per the Washington Post. This statement underscores the strained relations within the alliance.
