Recep Tayyip Erdogan is heading into next week’s NATO summit with a diplomatic advantage, strengthened by his close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, which helped secure Trump’s attendance and could reopen stalled defence cooperation between the two countries.
Trump, who has often criticised several European leaders, said he agreed to attend the summit in Ankara largely out of respect for Erdogan, describing him as “a hell of a leader” and a personal friend.
“I would not have gone for most people,” Trump said, adding that Erdogan personally urged him to attend and stressed the importance of U.S. participation.
Trump’s presence is being seen as a diplomatic boost for NATO at a time when he has repeatedly questioned U.S. military commitments in Europe and urged allies to increase defence spending. He has also recently criticised some NATO members over their stance on his military actions against Iran.
Beyond diplomacy, Trump has hinted at possible defence-related announcements during his visit, including discussions on the sale of F-35 fighter jets and F-110 engines sought by Ankara.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defence system, a move that raised concerns in Washington over potential security risks to the aircraft’s sensitive technology.
During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump suggested he may take steps that would “make Erdogan very happy.” U.S. Vice President JD Vance also said Washington is exploring options to resume F-35 sales, subject to legal conditions.
The U.S. State Department has also notified lawmakers of a proposed sale worth more than $700 million in F-110 jet engines for Turkey’s domestically developed KAAN fighter aircraft. However, the proposal faces opposition from some members of Congress due to ongoing concerns over Turkey’s possession of the Russian S-400 system.
Analysts say Trump’s personal rapport with Erdogan has become a defining factor in U.S.-Turkey relations.
Philip Gordon, a former U.S. national security adviser and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said Trump’s preference for strongman leaders has helped shape an unusually warm relationship with Erdogan.
“Erdogan is taking full advantage of it,” he said.
Unlike former U.S. President Joe Biden, who kept Erdogan at arm’s length over democratic concerns and Ankara’s ties with Moscow, Trump has maintained regular contact with the Turkish leader.
Observers also note that Erdogan signalled confidence in Trump’s political return by declining an invitation to visit Washington during Biden’s presidency after Turkey approved Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership.
Relations between Washington and Ankara have improved in other areas as well. Earlier this year, the U.S. Justice Department dropped a major sanctions-related case against Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank, while Trump ally Tom Barrack was appointed U.S. ambassador to Turkey.
Erdogan and Trump have also held frequent discussions on regional issues, including Syria, Gaza and wider Middle East security. Turkey has joined Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative aimed at supporting a Gaza ceasefire framework.
Following a meeting at last year’s NATO summit, Erdogan said the two leaders maintain regular communication, often returning each other’s calls within 24 hours.
“With my friend Trump, we are opening a new era in Turkish-American relations,” Erdogan said.
