TURKEY PERSPECTIVE

Ankara, July 8, 2026. As the Turkish capital hosts the 36th NATO summit on July 7 and 8, Turkey is leveraging the personal relationship between Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Donald Trump to position itself as a mediator in a transatlantic alliance weakened by the repeated criticism from the American president. Upon his arrival in Ankara, Trump praised his "chemistry" with his Turkish counterpart, going so far as to say that if the summit had not been held in Turkey, "where my friend happens to be a very strong leader," he was not sure he would have attended. The American president also reiterated his grievances against several European allies, whom he deemed too timid in their support for the US during the conflict with Iran - a criticism that fueled his public disagreement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was accused of refusing to allow the use of Italian bases for American warplanes.

In this tense climate, Ankara is highlighting its role as a pivot. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan explained to the New York Times that the Erdoğan-Trump relationship could "help bridge the differences" within the alliance, with Turkey intending to "use this friendship for the benefit of the entire NATO family." Fidan, however, downplayed the extent of the tensions: "there are a lot of words being exchanged" but "in practical terms, nothing changes." A tangible sign of this rapprochement, Trump indicated that Washington would consider selling F-35 aircraft to Turkey, which was removed from the program in 2019 after purchasing the Russian S-400 system - a issue that has weighed on bilateral relations for years. Erdoğan welcomed this opening, stating that he had "personally received assurance" from Trump on this matter.

The summit also brought Turkey institutional recognition: the head of NATO's Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, described the country as a "central" ally, with the second-largest army in the alliance and a defense industry that "impresses." Trump also confirmed that he had discussed a possible end to the war in Ukraine with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he was confident that an agreement could be reached "soon."