Turkey is heading into the NATO summit with a political advantage few alliance members currently enjoy: a warm personal relationship between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump. As Ankara prepares to host the gathering, Erdogan’s direct connection with Trump may help Turkey gain influence on defense, diplomacy and its role inside the alliance.
A Personal Bond With Political Weight
Trump has often praised Erdogan, once calling him “a hell of a leader.” That personal respect now appears to be shaping U.S. involvement in the NATO summit, especially as Trump has shown frustration with several European allies over defense spending and their positions on recent conflicts.
For Erdogan, Trump’s attendance is more than symbolic. A summit without the U.S. president could have created uncertainty for NATO at a sensitive time. Instead, Turkey can present itself as a country capable of keeping Washington engaged, even when Trump’s relationship with the wider alliance remains tense.
Ankara Looks for Defense Gains
The warmer tone between Trump and Erdogan could also matter for Turkey’s defense goals. Trump has suggested that his visit may include news related to jet engines and the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Ankara was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after buying Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems.
Turkey is also seeking F-110 jet engines for its domestically produced KAAN fighter jets. According to the AP, the State Department recently moved toward more than $700 million in potential jet engine sales to Ankara, despite concerns from some lawmakers. New York Rep. Gregory Meeks criticized the move, saying the State Department did not properly explain its decision.
A Different Approach Than Biden
Erdogan’s relationship with Trump stands in sharp contrast to his ties with former President Joe Biden. Biden kept Erdogan at a distance because of concerns about democratic backsliding in Turkey and Ankara’s close relations with Russia. Trump, however, is expected to meet Erdogan on the sidelines of the summit and would be the first U.S. president to visit Turkey since Barack Obama in 2015.
Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute said Erdogan and Trump personally “clicked” during Trump’s first term. After Erdogan skipped a 2024 invitation from Biden, Cagaptay said, “I think Trump saw that as a giant gesture.”
Critics Say Erdogan Is Using the Moment
Not everyone views the relationship as a simple diplomatic success. Philip Gordon, a former national security adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, said Trump’s connection with Erdogan fits a broader pattern in how Trump relates to powerful leaders. Gordon added, “Erdogan is taking full advantage of it.”
Human rights groups and opposition parties have accused Erdogan of weakening democratic institutions and limiting freedom of expression in Turkey. Those concerns remain part of the wider debate over how close Washington should get to Ankara, especially while Turkey continues to hold the Russian S-400 system.
Phone Diplomacy Opens Doors
The relationship has also grown through frequent phone calls. Erdogan and Trump have discussed Syria, Gaza and broader Middle East issues, while Turkey joined Trump’s Board of Peace aimed at overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.
Erdogan has publicly praised the speed of his communication with Trump. Speaking after last year’s NATO summit in The Hague, Erdogan used the phrase “With my friend Trump” while describing what he saw as a new period in Turkish-American relations.
As the NATO summit approaches, Erdogan’s relationship with Trump gives Turkey a stronger hand than many other alliance members. The bond may help Ankara secure greater attention from Washington, advance key defense requests and shape discussions on NATO’s future. But it also raises questions about how personal diplomacy, defense policy and concerns over democracy will collide as Turkey hosts one of the alliance’s most important gatherings.
