Politics
Türkiye left its mark in NATO summits and may repeat it
Türkiye has always been a top contributor to NATO, but the alliance’s fate was often shaped by other members. This changed in the past few decades as Türkiye’s leverage in the bloc grew under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This week, Türkiye will likely get what it wants from the alliance as it brings together heads of state and government for what pundits call the “most important summit” of the alliance.
This week’s summit will be an opportunity for Türkiye to showcase its flourishing defense industry and seek more collaboration in this field with NATO members. It will also be an opportunity for Türkiye to enhance cooperation with EU states, most of whom are also NATO members, in bolstering the defenses of the continent.
Türkiye brought many of the challenges NATO faces today onto the Alliance’s agenda over the past five years, achieving concrete outcomes despite criticism from some member states. By insisting that Sweden and Finland take meaningful steps in combating terrorism before approving their NATO membership, Türkiye initially withheld its consent. Once the two countries implemented tangible measures in this area, Türkiye lifted its objections.
Although some allies opposed Türkiye’s stance at the time, Ankara succeeded in incorporating its priority issues into NATO summit declarations, securing what it viewed as a diplomatic victory. In hindsight, this also served as an early warning regarding the challenges that NATO members are confronting today.
Over the past five years, Ankara consistently emphasized at NATO summits that allies should not impose sanctions or defense industry restrictions on one another. While many allies, particularly in Europe, did not initially recognize the significance of this issue, developments and messages from the United States have since made defense industrial cooperation one of NATO’s foremost priorities. Türkiye also became one of the most closely watched countries at NATO summits due to its diplomatic efforts, public messaging, and mediation role aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite maintaining close relations with many allies, President Erdoğan consistently raised the issue of what he described as Israel’s atrocities at NATO summits, just as he has at other international forums. As a result, various actors, particularly pro-Israel lobbying groups, campaigned for Türkiye’s exclusion from NATO. However, Türkiye ultimately secured the right to host the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, presenting this as its response to those opposing its role.
2021 summit
The 2021 Brussels Summit marked the first face-to-face meeting between then-U.S. President Joe Biden and President Erdoğan, with an extensive agenda covering both regional and bilateral issues. Alongside developments in Syria, Afghanistan, and Libya, the leaders also discussed bilateral relations. This was the last NATO summit before the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine War. Despite rising tensions, dialogue remained the preferred approach. As Türkiye’s influence within NATO continued to grow, Ankara conveyed the message that “while protecting our own borders, we are also protecting NATO’s borders.” Today, NATO leaders frequently emphasize this point when discussing Türkiye.
2022 summit
Following the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Sweden and Finland formally applied for NATO membership. At the time, members of the terrorist groups PKK and Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) were active in Sweden. Türkiye declared that if Sweden and Finland wished to join NATO, they first needed to take concrete steps in combating terrorism, and therefore initially withheld its approval for their accession.
As a result, attention at the summit focused on the messages President Erdoğan would deliver on the issue. Negotiations took place during the summit, culminating in the signing of a trilateral memorandum with Sweden and Finland that outlined a roadmap for their eventual admission into NATO. Türkiye emphasized that it expected concrete actions from both countries before ratifying their membership, and approval was ultimately granted after the necessary legislative and policy measures had been implemented.
2023 summit
At the Vilnius Summit, NATO agreed, at Turkey’s request, to establish the position of Special Coordinator for counterterrorism. Owing in part to host Lithuania’s geographical proximity to the conflict, the Russia–Ukraine conflict dominated the summit agenda.
Türkiye’s role in facilitating initiatives such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative and prisoner exchanges, as well as its broader mediation efforts, made it one of the countries with the deepest involvement in the diplomatic process. Consequently, international media closely followed President Erdoğan’s remarks, with journalists lining up outside the venue of his post-summit press conference.
The summit also reaffirmed Türkiye’s long-standing position that NATO allies should refrain from imposing either overt or covert arms embargoes or sanctions against one another.
2024 summit
As Türkiye’s influence within NATO continued to expand, President Erdoğan held numerous bilateral meetings with world leaders during the summit in Washington D.C., presenting the “Turkish vision.”
It was at this summit that the decision was made for Türkiye to host the 2026 NATO Summit. While in Washington, Erdoğan once again strongly criticized what he described as Israel’s violations of international law.
The summit also updated NATO’s strategy document on counterterrorism. Additionally, the Alliance reaffirmed the Vilnius decision supporting Türkiye’s priority that allies should not impose sanctions on one another.
Following Erdoğan’s announcement that Türkiye would veto Israel’s participation in certain NATO activities open to non-member partners, pro-Israel lobbying groups intensified efforts to reduce Türkiye’s influence within the Alliance.
2025 summit
At the 2025 Hague Summit, many allies moved closer to Türkiye’s position on assuming greater responsibility in addressing emerging threats and security challenges.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted closer defense industrial cooperation by stating, “From Texas to Ankara,” signaling that the Alliance increasingly shared Ankara’s perspective on this issue.
President Erdoğan emphasized “diplomacy for peace” in Ukraine and “justice for Gaza.” Although the U.S.–Iran conflict had not yet begun at that time, President Erdoğan also stated that “a lasting solution to issues with Iran is only possible through diplomacy and negotiation,” an evidence of Türkiye’s accurate assessment of regional developments.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the Presidential Complex. Carney was among heads of state and governments who arrived in Ankara for a two-day NATO summit.
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek greeted Carney at the airport before the Canadian leader headed to the complex where other top officials, including U.S. President Donald Trump, will visit later on Tuesday.
Canada is among the countries joining an initiative announced by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Tuesday to acquire, store, transport and manage stockpiles of critical defense materials.
The country announced earlier this year that it achieved NATO’s defense spending commitment based on gross domestic product (GDP). Canada heavily invested in infrastructure and rolled out procurement decisions as well, including new submarines.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte arrived in Ankara on Monday before the alliance’s July 7-8 leaders’ summit, where heads of state and government from the 32-member bloc are set to meet.
In a video message released by NATO ahead of the summit, Rutte noted alliance officials were traveling to the Turkish capital as preparations entered their final stage.
“Many people in this building are now moving to Ankara,” Rutte said. “Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow we will hold a summit there.”
He stressed the gathering of NATO leaders would center on translating political commitments into concrete action.
“The summit will largely be about delivering on our commitments,” Rutte said. “We achieved a great deal in The Hague last year, but now we have to implement what was agreed there.”
Rutte said allies would discuss credible defense spending plans and review progress toward NATO’s target of allocating 5% of gross domestic product to defense and related security investments.
“We need to make sure that all countries are on track toward reaching the 5% target,” he said, adding that recent developments offered “really good news” for the alliance.
He also stressed the importance of expanding defense industrial production to strengthen NATO’s military readiness and ensure allies can meet future security challenges.
Rutte said continued military support for Ukraine would remain a priority, arguing that Kyiv should have the resources needed to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position if peace negotiations begin.
“We must ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs to remain as strong as possible in its fight and, of course, to be in the best possible position when peace negotiations start,” he said.
Türkiye will host the July 7-8 NATO summit in Ankara, where leaders of all 32 member states, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are expected to discuss the alliance’s future, defense investment, transatlantic security and support for Ukraine.
NATO Military Committee Chair Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone described Türkiye as a strong and strategic ally ahead of this week’s NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara, praising its military capabilities, defense industry and geopolitical position as central to the alliance’s security.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) at NATO headquarters in Brussels before the July 7-8 summit, Cavo Dragone said the alliance has become stronger since he assumed the Military Committee’s top post in January 2025.
“When I took office, I believed NATO was a strong and healthy alliance. After a year and a half, I can confirm that assessment,” he said. “We are no longer just waking up. We are on our feet and moving forward.”
Drawing attention to Türkiye’s role within NATO, the admiral said the country occupies a unique strategic position linking the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Middle East while maintaining the alliance’s second-largest military.
He also praised Türkiye’s rapidly expanding defense industry after recently visiting several production facilities.
“I was truly impressed,” Cavo Dragone said. “Türkiye is already a strong ally and, in my assessment, it will become even stronger in the future.”
He said Türkiye could serve as a model for other allies because of its investment in defense manufacturing, production speed and delivery capacity.
“Geographically, Türkiye may be on NATO’s frontier, but in many strategic respects it is at the center of the alliance,” he said. “We trust Türkiye and are pleased to have it as our ally.”
Cavo Dragone added that Türkiye’s security concerns should continue to be addressed within the alliance on the basis of mutual trust, calling unity among allies NATO’s greatest strategic strength.
He also noted that allies have become increasingly aware of the evolving security environment and are now expected to turn political commitments into concrete action. Referring to defense spending pledges made at last year’s NATO summit in The Hague, Cavo Dragone said implementation would be the alliance’s main priority.
“Declarations are easy. What matters from a military perspective is achieving tangible results on the ground,” he said, adding that NATO also needs to maintain its long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine and preserve momentum in defense industrial production.
Cavo Dragone acknowledged that differences among NATO’s 32 democratic members can slow decision-making but argued that consensus-building ultimately strengthens the alliance.
“Different views are natural. They help us discuss, negotiate, and reach common ground,” he said, stressing that mutual trust remains NATO’s greatest asset.
Addressing concerns over a possible reduction in U.S. military contributions to Europe, Cavo Dragone said European allies are capable of assuming greater responsibility for their own defense, although the transition will require time and sustained investment.
Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran on Monday said that the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will be critical for both the alliance’s future and the evolving global security architecture.
Speaking to journalists at the International Media Center ahead of the July 7-8 summit, Duran noted the gathering, which has been described under the concept of “NATO 3.0,” would address key strategic issues.
“This summit, which has come to the fore under the concept of NATO 3.0, is very important. Very important issues will be discussed in Ankara, both for NATO’s future and for how the global architecture will be shaped,” Duran said.
Duran said the summit is expected to attract the highest-level participation ever at the level of heads of state and government, alongside numerous bilateral meetings.
He said more than 2,500 media representatives will cover the event from the Presidential National Library, where facilities include workspaces, live broadcast positions, and editing rooms.
Bilateral meetings
Asked about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bilateral meetings, Duran said NATO leaders are expected to discuss strengthening the transatlantic alliance, European security, and defense spending, while bilateral talks will also focus on country-specific issues.
“In addition, there will be bilateral meetings. Bilateral meetings generally focus on countries’ own bilateral agendas. However, since they are being held on the sidelines of NATO, issues such as defense and security, Europe’s future, and strengthening Europe’s security will also be on the agenda. Defense spending will also be discussed,” he said.
“Countries’ bilateral agendas are naturally unique to each of them, so each meeting should be assessed separately. But from this perspective, the summit will provide a platform both for shaping NATO’s future and for countries to review their bilateral relations. Our president will hold numerous bilateral meetings and will evaluate various agenda items within those meetings,” Duran added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev at the Presidential Complex on Monday. The two politicians were not expected to hold a joint news conference.
Radev is among heads of state and government who traveled to Türkiye for the July 7-8 NATO summit.
Erdoğan is also scheduled to meet leaders from the alliance’s 32 member countries at the Presidential Complex, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic.
Erdoğan is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting with Trump on July 7, followed by a joint news conference.
Later that evening, Erdoğan and first lady Emine Erdoğan will host a dinner at the Presidential Complex for visiting leaders and their spouses.
On July 8, Erdoğan will welcome leaders on arrival at the summit venue before participating in the traditional family photo. Following opening remarks by Rutte, leaders are expected to deliver statements during the summit session.
After the session, Erdoğan, Trump and several other leaders are expected to hold separate news conferences at the Beştepe National Exhibition Hall.
The summit will focus on implementing NATO’s decision to increase defense investment and will review the alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts from a 360-degree perspective.
Leaders are also expected to hold strategic discussions on threats, risks and challenges facing the Euro-Atlantic region, as well as developments related to the war in Ukraine and the security situation on NATO’s southern flank. In addition to 32 NATO heads of state and government, the summit will bring together nearly 100 ministers, senior diplomats, representatives of international organizations and invited guests.
Jailed former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu appeared in court Monday in three separate criminal proceedings, as one of the cases involving allegations over his university diploma was postponed until Dec. 25.
The Istanbul 59th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled to delay the diploma case pending the finalization of a separate administrative court decision concerning the validity of Imamoğlu’s degree.
The case stems from allegations that Imamoğlu fraudulently obtained a bachelor’s degree from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Business Administration in 1994. Prosecutors launched an investigation earlier this year after complaints were filed over the authenticity of his diploma.
In March 2025, Istanbul University annulled the diplomas of Imamoğlu and 27 others, citing what it described as legal nullity and procedural errors. Prosecutors later charged him with forgery of an official document.
In a separate espionage case heard the same day, prosecutors requested that Imamoğlu remain in pretrial detention alongside co-defendants, including journalist Merdan Yanardağ, political consultant Necati Özkan and businessperson Hüseyin Gün.
The prosecutor’s office concluded that Gün operated “under the appearance of a business person” while acting as an intelligence asset, a finding it said was supported by both intelligence and police assessments.
In earlier testimony, Gün told investigators that he owned a company named Piiq and claimed to have partnered with Aaron Barr, whom he described as a former CIA officer.
Prosecutors argued that there was sufficient evidence supporting accusations of political and military espionage and said the defendants’ detention remained proportionate given the seriousness of the charges.
The former mayor also appeared in a separate corruption trial linked to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB).
The indictment, spanning nearly 3,900 pages, accuses Imamoğlu of leading a criminal organization and committing multiple corruption-related offenses.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence ranging from 828 years to 2,352 years, arguing that he bears responsibility for 142 separate criminal acts.
He has been held in pretrial detention since March 23, 2025, as part of the corruption investigation and was subsequently suspended from office by Türkiye’s Interior Ministry pending the outcome of the judicial process.
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