By Janet Ekstract ANKARA – U.S. President Donald Trump received a royal welcome at the airport upon landing in Turkiye and at the Presidential Complex for the NATO summit in Ankara. On the first day of the summit on Tuesday, July 7, both leaders held bilateral talks for two hours with speculation about whether Turkiye will receive its long-awaited F-35 package. In a joint press conference after the meeting, Trump told reporters in Ankara that the sanctions previously placed on Turkiye will be removed, as he commented: “We don’t want to sanction friends.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the Presidential Complex after meeting with Trump. The Turkish leader said: “Being together with my distinguished friend (Trump) in Ankara has given us extra strength. I especially want to express how important this visit is.” Erdogan told the press that the two discussed regional stability: “We are striving to find a way to resolve Iran-America relations. We are working to do our best to take steps towards world peace.”
Meanwhile, Erdogan said that with regard to Gaza, that… “we attach great importance to this Leaders’ Summit to ensure peace in the region.” As for the F-35 issue, Erdogan said: “The F-35 issue is not a new topic for us, and we previously discussed it with America and we received a commitment for five aircraft.” Asked what he thinks will be the result on the F-35, the Turkish president commented: “I know that we have positively ascertained the future of the promise we previously received from them regarding the F-35. Mr. Trump always stands by his word.” Also on their agenda was the issue of Russia and Ukraine, press reports indicate that Trump will meet Zelensky who reportedly is seeking Turkiye’s help in any future talks with Russia. As Erdogan underscored the importance of partnership within NATO, he said of the U.S. and Turkiye: “As two important countries in NATO, we will ensure a strong outcome from the Leaders’ Summit in solidarity, and we believe we will succeed in this.” The Turkish leader added: “My distinguished friend and I will discuss the KAAN engines issue at the Leaders’ Summit I believe he will reiterate the good news he gave us here.”
