Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mentioned on Wednesday that the 2026 NATO summit within the capital Ankara concluded “successfully,” describing it as a “historic” collecting that may assist form the alliance’s long run at a time of heightened safety demanding situations around the Euro-Atlantic area.
He stated the assembly got here at a crucial second for Euro-Atlantic safety and would have lasting importance for the alliance.
“This historic summit, which we hosted at a time when Euro-Atlantic security is being tested, has been conducted in a manner that will shape our common future,” he stated.
Erdoğan stated Türkiye has needed to deal with regional crises and terrorism for many years with out profiting from the post-Chilly Battle “peace dividend” loved via many Eu international locations.
“There were times when we were left alone and treated unfairly. Therefore, we often had to rely on our own capabilities,” he stated.
He famous that the ones efforts have enabled Türkiye to surpass many NATO allies in protection spending, army functions and the power of its protection business.
“Today, in terms of defense spending, military capabilities and the defense industry that underpins them, we are well ahead of many allies,” Erdoğan stated.
The president added that NATO leaders reviewed the implementation of commitments made eventually yr’s summit in The Hague and reaffirmed Türkiye’s plans to additional build up its contributions to the alliance.
TÜRKİYE’S ROLE IN NATO
Highlighting Türkiye’s army function inside of NATO, Erdoğan stated the rustic instructions the alliance’s second-largest land power and has lengthy served because the cornerstone of safety on NATO’s southeastern flank.
“We currently command NATO’s second-largest land army. For decades, the security of NATO’s southeastern flank has largely been entrusted to our country,” he stated.
He stated Türkiye stays a number of the main participants to NATO operations, missions and commonplace investment, including that Turkish F-16 fighter jets will probably be deployed to Estonia starting in August as a part of NATO’s Air Policing undertaking.
Erdoğan additionally stated Ankara will proceed main the NATO-led Kosovo Pressure (KFOR) till September 2026 and is scheduled to command the NATO Reaction Pressure in 2028–2029.
Highlighting Türkiye’s protection business, Erdoğan stated the rustic is without doubt one of the few NATO participants able to generating its personal fighter plane, tanks, naval vessels and air protection programs.
He added that Ankara has develop into an international chief in unmanned aerial cars, naval drones and warship manufacturing whilst additionally supplying protection merchandise to allied countries.
Erdoğan reiterated that EU protection tasks must supplement NATO, fairly than replica its efforts.
“The European Union’s defense initiatives must complement NATO and avoid unnecessary duplication. I draw the attention of our allies and the EU leadership to this important point at every opportunity and in every forum,” he stated.
Erdoğan additionally renewed his name for the removing of ultimate restrictions on protection industry amongst NATO allies.
“Although some obstacles to defense industry trade among allies have decreased, they still exist. These restrictions must be removed as soon as possible, without conditions,” he stated.
‘TRUMP HAS POSITIVE APPROACH ON F-35 FIGHTER JETS’
Erdoğan stated his US counterpart, Donald Trump, has taken a “positive approach” on turning in F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, whilst additionally announcing that US sanctions in opposition to Ankara were in large part got rid of.
The Turkish president stated he was once constructive that Ankara would sooner or later obtain the fifth-generation fighter jets.
“Mr. Trump actually has a positive approach toward Türkiye on the F-35 issue. Hopefully, when the F-35s are delivered to Türkiye, the whole world will say, ‘America kept its promise,'” Erdoğan stated.
In 2019, throughout Trump’s first time period, the USA suspended Türkiye from the F-35 program after objecting to its acquire of Russia’s S-400 missile protection gadget, claiming the Russian gadget would endanger the fighter jets.
Türkiye has again and again stated there’s no struggle between the 2 programs and proposed a fee to check the problem. Ankara additionally says it fulfilled its tasks at the F-35s and that its suspension violated the principles, keeping up that the jets would improve now not handiest Türkiye, but in addition NATO.
Responding to a query about US sanctions, Erdoğan stated Washington is now not actively imposing sanctions in opposition to Türkiye.
“At the moment, the United States is not applying any sanctions against us. To a large extent, they have been lifted,” he stated.
Erdoğan added that senior Turkish officers, together with the rustic’s protection minister, international minister, leader of the overall personnel and vp, had firsthand wisdom that the constraints had been now not being enforced.
He additionally praised his conversation with Trump, announcing the USA president responds briefly when contacted.
“Whenever we need to reach Mr. Trump, he gets back to us within 24 hours, and we receive the necessary response,” Erdoğan stated.
The Turkish president stated protection cooperation would stay “one of the key pillars” of Turkish-US family members, along increasing financial ties.
“It is in Türkiye’s interest to develop our economic relations with the United States, and America also agrees with this,” he stated, including that each he and Trump shared the similar view throughout their bilateral discussions.
Erdoğan additionally highlighted Türkiye’s rising protection business, specifically its unmanned aerial automobile sector.
He pointed to Turkish protection corporate Baykar for example of the sphere’s good fortune.
“Baykar is taking an important step, and this process continues. They are receiving very serious orders from around the world and continue to do so. This shows that our unmanned aerial vehicles and armed drones have found acceptance globally,” Erdoğan stated.
DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH US
Erdoğan additionally stated he reached an working out with Trump to make bigger cooperation within the protection and financial fields, despite the fact that he didn’t supply a timeline for additional agreements.
“I wouldn’t call it a timetable, but Mr. Trump and I reached an understanding on this issue,” he stated.
The Turkish president stated the 2 leaders mentioned imaginable joint tasks within the protection sector, together with naval building.
“We discussed shipbuilding in particular. These could include frigates, corvettes or submarines. Türkiye can build these in its shipyards and is fully capable of doing so,” Erdoğan stated.
ENGINE PROCUREMENT FOR KAAN FIGHTER JET
Erdoğan stated Trump expressed make stronger for the sale of F110 jet engines for Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fighter plane.
“I had discussed the issue of these engines with Mr. Trump before. He took a positive approach. Hopefully, there will not be any problems,” he stated.
The Trump management has reportedly knowledgeable Congress not too long ago of its purpose to transport ahead with a proposed sale of dozens of jet engines to Türkiye in a deal valued at greater than $700 million.
Overdue remaining month, when requested in regards to the proposed engine sale and the potential of Türkiye returning to the F-35 program, Trump stated: “I’m going to probably do something that will make them very happy.”
The F110 engines, manufactured via Normal Electrical, are anticipated to energy Türkiye’s regionally advanced KAAN fighter jet, a flagship protection program introduced in 2016 to cut back the rustic’s reliance on international army apparatus.
‘KEEP WATCHING US’
Erdoğan additionally disregarded grievance from Israeli High Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis over a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, saying Ankara’s proper to supply and buy complex protection apparatus.
“Neither of those statements has any place in my world,” Erdoğan stated. “It is clear what waters Netanyahu is swimming in. Mr. Mitsotakis should not have fallen into such a mistake,” he added.
Erdoğan stated Türkiye hasn’t ever objected to Greece’s protection acquisitions and anticipated the similar means in go back.
“Have we ever puzzled why Mr. Mitsotakis purchased or is purchasing protection apparatus for Greece? No. But Greece is our neighbor. We can have made such feedback, however there’s no want.
“A country can buy and sell defense equipment. Türkiye is already producing these systems, and alongside producing them, it also has the right to buy them,” he stated.
The Turkish president added that Ankara continues to carry protection procurement talks with quite a lot of international locations and is shaping its insurance policies accordingly.
Requested about his assembly with Trump and whether or not Washington had connected a imaginable F-35 sale to Türkiye’s Russian-made S-400 air protection gadget, Erdoğan declined to elaborate.
“Keep watching us,” he responded.
Erdoğan additionally promoted Türkiye’s indigenous Metal Dome built-in air protection undertaking, announcing it might improve each Türkiye’s and NATO’s defensive functions.
“The Steel Dome Project is also the strongest arm-wrestling move for NATO in our region,” he stated.
“We have taken all the necessary steps, and Türkiye is making progress with the Steel Dome every day. We have showcased these capabilities from time to time, and we will continue to do so. If others have different domes, we also have the Steel Dome.”
TÜRKİYE CALLS FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE AND MIDDLE EAST
Erdoğan steered renewed diplomatic efforts to finish the wars in Ukraine and the Center East, announcing the area can’t bear additional struggle.
Right through the two-day summit, Erdoğan stated NATO allies had mentioned the warfare in Ukraine, regional safety and the battle in opposition to terrorism.
He reiterated that terrorism stays “one of NATO’s two principal security threats” and stated the alliance should take care of trustworthy team spirit in preventing it.
Turning to the warfare in Ukraine, Erdoğan stated the struggle has entered its 5th yr and has develop into a warfare of attrition with heavy casualties.
“This war of attrition has turned into a slaughter machine, claiming tens of thousands of casualties every month,” he stated.
Erdoğan stated Türkiye has persistently advocated discussion and international relations because the struggle started and reaffirmed Ankara’s be offering to facilitate negotiations.
“There are no losers in a just peace. I would like to reiterate that we are ready to bring the parties together once again in Türkiye,” he stated.
‘OUR REGION CAN TOLERATE NEITHER NEW TENSIONS NOR NEW CONFLICTS’
Erdoğan stated Israeli assaults on Lebanon have persisted regardless of diplomatic efforts, leading to just about 5,000 deaths since March 2, forcing civilians to escape, destroying towns and, in his phrases, resulting in the sluggish seizure of Lebanese territory.
He additionally condemned Israel’s army marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip, announcing “occupation and oppression continue unabated.”
Greater than 73,000 Palestinians, maximum of them ladies and kids, were killed in Gaza, Erdoğan famous. “Those who see their own security in the instability of the region are trying to extinguish even the smallest glimmer of peace,” he stated.
He warned in opposition to encouraging what he described as a “war-addicted mentality” and wired that the area urgently wishes steadiness.
“Our region can tolerate neither new tensions nor new conflicts. On the contrary, like air and water, humanity needs peace, tranquility and stability,” Erdoğan stated.
Erdoğan stated he again and again raised the warfare in Gaza throughout the summit discussions, describing the struggle as one of the most Center East’s gravest crises.
“I insisted on discussing Gaza and emphasized it repeatedly. We see Gaza as a disaster of the Middle East,” he stated, including: “We need to restore peace and calm there as soon as possible.”
On regional safety, Erdoğan stated Türkiye stays dedicated to serving to keep steadiness within the Strait of Hormuz.
“We are doing everything we can and will continue to do so,” he stated, underlining the want to keep away from the Strait of Hormuz turning into a theater of warfare. “If we can achieve that, we will be very pleased.”
SIDELINE BILATERAL MEETINGS
Erdoğan additionally stated he held talks on bilateral and regional problems with a number of leaders throughout the summit, together with Trump and the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
He famous that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was once additionally in Ankara and stated he would later attend a running dinner with EU leaders sooner than website hosting the ones of Montenegro, Slovakia and Albania on Thursday.
He introduced that Türkiye will host two further primary world gatherings sooner than the top of 2026: the thirteenth Summit of the Group of Turkic States in Ankara on Oct. 29-30 and the COP31 UN Local weather Summit in Antalya from Nov. 9 to twenty.
Erdoğan thanked NATO Secretary-Normal Mark Rutte, summit organizers and the folk of Ankara for his or her function in website hosting the development, announcing that they had as soon as once more demonstrated Türkiye’s hospitality to the sector.
TRUMP MEETING ‘VERY PRODUCTIVE’
Requested about his talks with Trump at the summit sidelines, Erdoğan described the assembly as extremely a success.
“It was a very, very productive meeting,” he stated. “Our joint press appearance covered a broad range of issues. Both President Trump and I answered all the necessary questions.”
Erdoğan added that Trump gave the impression happy following their discussions, having “left the press conference very happy.”
The Turkish president additionally stated he didn’t talk about tendencies within the South Caucasus or the problem of the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary with Trump throughout their assembly, however famous that the 2 leaders stay in shut touch and will talk about regional problems via telephone each time vital.
OPEN DIALOGUE WITH GREECE
On family members with Greece, Erdoğan welcomed Mitsotakis’ contemporary remarks expressing a want to unravel disputes over maritime jurisdiction within the Aegean Sea.
“I share Mr. Mitsotakis’ view on resolving the issues in the Aegean Sea,” Erdoğan stated.
Underlining that the 2 international locations’ international ministers would proceed discussions, he stated the leaders themselves might get entangled immediately if vital.
“Resolving the issues in those waters is first and foremost the responsibility of the leaders. I share the same view,” he stated.
Requested about plans via Greece to increase its territorial waters and the longstanding “casus belli” dispute between the 2 international locations, Erdoğan referred to as for direct discussion as an alternative of escalating tensions.
“Let us sit down, talk and resolve the issue,” he stated.
Erdoğan additionally highlighted that the concept that of the Blue Native land (Mavi Vatan) stays crucial component of Türkiye’s maritime coverage.
TÜRKİYE’S EU BID
Turning to Türkiye’s decades-long goal to enroll in the EU, Erdoğan stated he would proceed urgent Eu leaders to advance Ankara’s accession procedure.
He stated he had raised the problem with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and deliberate to speak about it additional with Eu Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and different EU leaders.
“We will tell them that making Türkiye wait for 53 years is an injustice. We will ask them to free Türkiye from this injustice,” Erdoğan stated.
“I hope they will finally open the door.”
