Trump to visit Turkey for NATO Leaders' Social Dinner, hold talks with Zelenskyy, al-Sharaa
Washington DC, July 6
US President Donald Trump will depart the White House on Monday evening to visit Turkey for the NATO Leaders' Social Dinner.
White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that Trump will also hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
"President Trump will depart the White House on Monday evening. He will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday afternoon, where he be greeted by President Erdogan of Turkey. He will participate in a State Arrival Ceremony and Honor Guard review before moving into a bilateral meeting with President Erdogan," the statement read.
The high-profile gathering, scheduled for July 7-8, comes amid ongoing tensions within the alliance regarding defence spending, burden-sharing, and the US role in European security.
"That evening, the President will participate in a NATO Leaders' Social Dinner. On Wednesday, President Trump will participate in an official welcome and family photo, followed by a NATO Leaders' working session. That afternoon, President Trump will participate in bilateral meetings with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and President al-Sharaa of the Syrian Arab Republic. Finally, the President will hold a press conference before departing from Ankara. He will arrive back at the White House on Wednesday evening," the statement said.
For years, many other NATO allies eyed Turkey with suspicion for buying a Russian air defence system, attacking Western-backed Kurdish forces in Syria and stalling Sweden's bid to join the alliance, the Washington Post reported.
But now, as Trump has flipped the perspective by calling NATO as 'paper tiger' and saying he's only attending this year's summit for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye. It is the latest sign of rocky relations between Trump and his European 'allies'.
"Ankara's international visibility will increase more than ever before, and our capital will make a name for itself as a centre of global diplomacy," Erdogan told a recent meeting of his AK Party, Washington Post quoted.
Trump has endorsed Erdogan in recent weeks, calling him "a friend of mine" and a "hell of a leader."
"If not for the fact that it was being held in Turkey by President Erdogan, I don't think I would've gone to it," Trump told reporters at the White House last week, as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sat next to him, as per The Washington Post.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Trump calling Erdogan a 'friend' while Europe looks on nervously... this is classic Trump, unpredictable and transactional. As an Indian, I admire how Erdogan has positioned Turkey as a key player despite sanctions and criticism. But let's be real - India's own relationship with Turkey has been complicated, especially on Kashmir. Let's see how this plays out for the Global South.
As an American, I'm embarrassed. Trump picking personal friendships over NATO commitments is dangerous. But honestly, India has the right idea - stay non-aligned and focus on your own interests. Erdogan is playing 4D chess here, getting Trump to come to Turkey while hosting Putin's friends. The world order is shifting fast.
Erdogan knows how to leverage relationships. Russia S-400 system, NATO membership, and now Trump's personal friendship - Turkey is balancing like a pro. Meanwhile, India should take notes on how to engage with multiple powers without being pigeonholed. But one concern: Trump's unpredictability could destabilize global security. Hope India's leadership stays focused on our own strategic interests.
This is absolutely wild. Trump is literally saying he's only going because of Erdogan. The transatlantic alliance is in shambles. From an Indian perspective, maybe this is good - less NATO pressure means more space for India to maneuver. But also worrying: if the US treats allies like this, what happens to smaller nations? 🤔
Big win for Turkey! Erdogan gets the US president to visit while maintaining ties with Russia. For India, we need to watch this carefully - if NATO weakens, the US might
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