U.S. President Donald Trump has met with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, announcing that the U.S. will lift sanctions, opening the possibility of selling F-35 jets to Turkey over Israel's objections.
Trump also criticized NATO’s abilities to function without American leadership and power, expressing disappointment at the refusal of some NATO allies to join the Iran war he launched alongside Israel without consulting
them. And he insisted again that Greenland should be “controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.” Of all of his threats to NATO and its member countries, this has posed the greatest danger to the organization.
Alliance leaders meanwhile are trying to show increased military capabilities as the American focus shifts from defending Europe. The two-day summit will showcase military projects worth billions of dollars aimed at persuading Trump they’re making a stronger Europe for a stronger NATO.
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Ozgur Ozel said Trump would be the only visiting U.S. president not to pay his respects at the mausoleum of Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
He said every visiting U.S. president since Eisenhower in 1959 had gone to the monument to honor Ataturk, who remains a revered figure in Turkey.
Talking about Trump’s welcome, Ozel said the president should be greeted by children “holding pictures of the 165 girls killed in Iran” – a reference to an airstrike on a school at the start of the Iran war.
Ozel was removed as head of the Republican People’s Party by court order last May. However, many believe the ruling was politically motivated and still consider him the de facto opposition leader.
Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden did not visit Turkey but he did lay a wreath at Ataturk’s tomb as vice-president in 2011.
The explosions in Syria’s capital on Tuesday injured at least 18 people, the interior ministry said, as France’s president met with his counterpart in a landmark visit. Both leaders later announced the reappointment of ambassadors, marking a major restoration of diplomatic ties after years of civil war.
It was the second attack in Damascus in a week and a setback for President Ahmad al-Sharaa as he welcomed the first major Western leader to visit since the ouster of longtime dictator Bashar Assad in late 2024. But French President Emmanuel Macron was safe in the presidential palace when the explosions happened, and voiced support for the country’s new direction.
“Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria,” Macron said on X hours later. Both he and Al-Sharaa will next appear in Ankara, Turkey for the NATO summit.
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The British military now says three tankers were struck Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said a third ship was hit by a drone in the critical oil-shipping waterway, where two other tankers had been attacked earlier in the day.
The third ship sustained minor damage, with no one injured, and continued on its way, the UKMTO said.
Iran and the United States agreed as part of an interim deal to allow ships to pass without paying charges for 60 days. But Tehran insisted it must control the routes and later charge fees, which would upend decades of practice in the waterway.
The U.S. and many Gulf Arab states say they will not agree to Iran charging for passage through the strait. An effort by Oman and a United Nations agency to launch a new route near Oman’s shore earlier sparked attacks across the Mideast.
Air defenses are on alert, and tens of thousands of police will be on duty.
Neighborhoods around the summit site are closed to traffic, and some state workers have been given time off to help keep roads unclogged.
Public gatherings are banned; however, Turkish police detained more than 20 protestors at a demonstration in central Ankara against the NATO summit on Tuesday.
Erdogan’s government has prioritized security, and authorities have carried out raids on people allegedly linked to extremist groups ahead of the summit.
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Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey that were issued after Ankara purchased a Russian missile defense system that led to the country being kicked out of the F-35 fighter jet program.
There are still a number of legal hurdles before Turkey could be fully admitted back to the U.S. program, but the removal of the sanctions — issued under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act — would help ease the process for Ankara to regain access to the F-35s, a top goal of Erdogan.
“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off, OK?” Trump said in response to a question at the presidential palace in Ankara. He said Cabinet officials were working on the matter.
Earlier, he said that the possibility of selling the F-35s to Turkey is “certainly something we will consider.”
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Erdogan expressed hope that the U.S. will sell F-35 planes to Turkey, saying the U.S. president always stands by his word.
At a joint news conference with Trump, Erdogan also said the two leaders would take up the issue of the sale of jet engines to power Turkey’s domestically-produced KAAN fighter planes.
He said Turkey expects Trump to “repeat the positive news” he previously gave about supporting Turkey’s defense projects.
Trump says the semiautonomous island, which is part of NATO ally Denmark, is “an important part for the United States,” and that he does not intend to let Greenland be threatened by China and Russia. He repeated the false claim that it’s surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships.
“That should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with Erdogan.
Of all Trump’s threats to NATO and its member countries, Trump’s repeated insistence that the U.S. should acquire Greenland has posed the greatest danger to the organization. NATO is founded on the principle that its 32 members will defend each other’s territory and not threaten to seize it.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center made the announcement Tuesday, hours after it said a tanker traveling off the coast of Oman in the strait was struck by a projectile and caught fire.
Iranian state television reported on the earlier attack, saying the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings, while not directly claiming responsibility. Tehran has repeatedly declared that only its approved route through the strait is safe, and is suspected of attacking other ships that have tried to transit the strait close to the Omani shore.
Talks between Iran and the U.S. appeared to be on hold until after the burial of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial attacks by the U.S. and Israel that launched the war. Iranian mourners have called for the death of Trump.
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A senior NATO official speaking on the sidelines of the summit in Ankara Tuesday said that despite some “reckless” actions by Russia, including airspace violations over Poland, Romania and Estonia, he believes the alliance has been successful in deterring Russia from any potential attack on a member country.
“I see absolutely no indications whatsoever that Russia is interested in any sort of conflict with NATO,” the official said.
He said Moscow is overstretched by its war in Ukraine and knows NATO would respond to any attack on a member.
“I would say now that Russia is deterred, but Russia is deterred because of the actions that we are taking,” he said.
While Trump is in Turkey demanding loyalty from NATO allies, a leading Democrat will be in Tel Aviv, directly accusing the president’s military partner of driving Israel into a “dead end.”
Potential presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel plans to denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and call for an end to U.S. subsidies of Israel’s defense budget in a speech Wednesday at Tel Aviv University.
“You’ve lost Europe,” Emanuel will say, according to remarks obtained by The Associated Press. Castigating Netanyahu for doing little to end the Iran war, he’ll note that “support for Israel is plummeting around the world.”
About 58% of Democrats now say the U.S. is “too supportive” of Israel, according to a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, up from 45% in January 2024. Roughly half of Democrats believe Israel’s government has committed genocide against Palestinians during the war in Gaza, an accusation leveled by some human rights organizations and vehemently denied by Israel and the U.S. government.
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The U.S. leader was asked about his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy scheduled for Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit, and responded by saying he’s had great recent phone conversations with both the Ukrainian president and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They both want to get it settled now,” he said.
He added later that Erdogan is “helping us get it settled.”
At his bilateral meeting with Erdogan, Trump said he was testing European allies when he asked for their help with the Iran war.
“Italy turned us down and Germany turned us down and France turned us down,” Trump said. “And that’s OK. But, you know, why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars and they’re not there for us?”
The complaint has been a central point of conflict between Trump and NATO, which he has described as a “paper tiger."
As they sat down for a bilateral meeting, Trump showered praise on Erdogan, saying they have a “very special relationship” that benefits both countries.
Asked about what makes their relationship so strong, Trump said there’s “a chemistry that works between us.”
“Sometimes you get along with the toughest people, like him,” Trump said, gesturing to Erdogan. “Sometimes you don’t get along with the weakest, most pathetic people.”
The president was asked by a reporter as he met with Erdogan whether he’ll allow the sale of the American fighter jets to Turkey, which had been banned from the program after purchasing Russian missile defense systems.
“It’s certainly something we will consider,” Trump said as he sat with his Turkish counterpart.
He said that “Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly urged the U.S. not to sell the jets to Turkey, saying it would upset the balance of power in the Middle East.
The president was greeted by Erdogan and an honor guard flanking a turquoise carpet. Trump shook hands with Erdogan and patted his shoulder before they walked together toward the guard. The men paused and Trump saluted as the band began playing the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by cannon fire.
They continued down the carpet toward the presidential compound as a flyover left a trail of red, white and blue in the sky.
Trump was scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Erdogan, a close ally who helped secure Trump’s presence at the two-day summit.
FIFA has defended the reputation of World Cup referee Raphael Claus in rare pushback on comments by Trump, who questioned his integrity for sending off Folarin Balogun.
Trump suggested on Monday at the White House, without elaborating, that the 46-year-old Brazilian referee was “a little bit suspect if you check his past.”
Trump set off a furor by successfully intervening with FIFA to ensure the United States forward could play against Belgium despite his red-card penalty. FIFA praised Claus, now working at his second World Cup, in a statement published before the U.S. lost 4-1 Monday night.
“Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity,” FIFA said, calling Claus “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member” of its team of World Cup match officials.
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Zelenskyy made a fresh appeal for Ukraine to be allowed to join NATO, saying that his country’s armed forces are highly experienced and resilient would only boost the alliance’s defense capabilities.
“Ukraine belongs in NATO,” Zelenskyy said at a defense industry forum, near where NATO leaders were due to gather later on Tuesday.
Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s adaptability and its ability to strike deep inside Russia, hit oil refineries and other energy targets. He said that Ukraine’s armed forces are “eliminating” on average 30,000 Russian troops every month.
“Do you believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defense capability?” he said.
The Turkish leader was waiting on the blue carpet for Trump as he descended from Air Force One. They shook hands and Trump squeezed Edrogan’s shoulder.
Erdogan was wearing sunglasses as they posed for pictures in the bright sun.
He then tapped and squeezed Trump’s arms, and they walked the carpet together, inspecting the Turkish troops, with Erdogan gently guiding Trump by the arms at times.
They did not make comments to reporters, but Trump could be heard speaking to Erdogan and his wife about the new airplane he’s using as Air Force One.
Another top agenda item is continued support to Ukraine, now in a fifth year of full-scale war with Russia. European allies and Canada are funding most of Ukraine’s needs, including paying for about 90% of the country’s air defenses.
With European countries fearing what Moscow’s territorial ambitions might lie beyond Ukraine, leaders have described Kyiv as a bulwark against Russian advances.
Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.
The Dutch defense ministry says it is investing together with the United Kingdom in new amphibious transport vessels and with other NATO allies in replacing aging AWACS surveillance planes.
The government announced the plans on the first day of the NATO summit in Ankara to underscore its commitment to ramping up defense spending.
The ministry says the Dutch also are playing a leading role in a European initiative to co-produce and maintain American arms such as Stinger, Amraam, and PAC-3 missiles.
Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgöz-Zegerius says the Netherlands and European allies “are investing much more in strengthening European defense” with extra money “but also by working together smarter.”
Trump arrived in Ankara Tuesday afternoon for the NATO summit, as the transatlantic military alliance was announcing billions in arms deals in an attempt to appease the mercurial U.S. leader.
The U.S. president was expected to head first to the presidential compound of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a close ally to Trump who is hosting this year’s gathering.
Just before Air Force One touched down in Ankara, NATO hosted a defense forum that spotlighted billions of dollars in military projects aimed at demonstrating to Trump that European allies are investing more of their own money in defense.
The 32 member countries of the world’s biggest military alliance will underline their unshakeable commitment to each other’s security, although the transatlantic bond has rarely seemed shakier. Still, the meeting is being organized around the theme of a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.
Trump has repeatedly slammed NATO, arguing the U.S. carries more than its fair share of military spending.
His grievances have been louder since the Iran war, as he has fumed over the fact that some member countries restricted the use of their bases to U.S. forces during the war and have not helped to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Pressed last month on what key U.S. allies could do to get back on his good side, Trump responded, “Just be loyal.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed before leaving Berlin that his country has doubled its defense spending since 2022.
He said that “we are not making this effort to do anyone a favor; we are making this effort because it is necessary for our defense, for our security.”
Merz said that “Russia remains a serious threat” and is “testing our determination every day.” He added that “it is all the more important that we send a signal of strength and unity in Ankara.”
Merz said: “This summit should send the message that we are building a more European NATO so that NATO can remain trans-Atlantic.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow will closely watch the NATO summit in Ankara.
Asked about Ukraine urging its Western allies to deliver air defense assets, Peskov said that Kyiv’s push for more weapons wouldn’t prevent Russia from reaching the goals of what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation.”
Asked about the prospects for reaching a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, Peskov told reporters that “we maintain contact with the Americans via working-level channels, and we hope that their efforts to steer the situation onto a peaceful track will ultimately succeed.”
He reaffirmed that the hostilities could end once Kyiv “demonstrates goodwill and shows a readiness to make those important decisions that need to be made.”
The bitterly divided leaders of the Czech Republic travelled separately to Turkey to attend the NATO summit on Tuesday.
Populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was flying with his Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna, while President Petr Pavel followed them separately later.
Babiš returned to power after his ANO, or YES, movement won big in an October election, forming a governing coalition whose agenda includes steering the country away from supporting Ukraine.
The country’s budget for this year falls short of a NATO target for defense spending (less than 1.8% of GDP), despite pressure from the United States and repeated complaints from the president.
Before his departure for Ankara on Tuesday, Babiš said the government would meet at least the minimum of 2% next year but no increase.
Unlike the government, Pavel, a retired army general, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
The government originally refused to include Pavel in the delegation for the summit and did it it only after an intervention from the Constitutional Court.
Turkish police detained more than 20 protestors at a demonstration in central Ankara against the NATO summit.
Officers raised their riots shields to prevent media from filming and photographing the protest by supporters of left-wing political parties.
A legal association said 22 students affiliated with the Turkish Workers’ Party and three lawyers had been detained.
Hakan Fidan has warned against restrictions on defense industry cooperation among NATO members on the opening day of the alliance’s summit in Ankara.
In a social media post, he said trade barriers “undermine efficiency and slow response,” adding that “these constraints have become strategic liabilities.” The United States and several European countries have imposed restrictions on selling military and dual-use goods to Turkey in recent years.
“European defense initiatives must remain fully inclusive of all NATO Allies,” Fidan said.
NATO on Tuesday showcased a series of military projects worth billions of dollars in an attempt to persuade President Donald Trump that U.S. allies are converting fresh defense spending into real firepower.
“It’s money well spent,” an energized NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told government ministers and defense industry officials on the sidelines of a summit in Turkey. He was speaking at a defense industry forum billed as NATO’s “big reveal,” to the thrum of techno music and a slick video display.
Trump, who is slated to arrive in Ankara later Tuesday, has branded NATO a “paper tiger” that would cease to function without American arms and leadership.
NATO as an organization does not own any weapons — these are the property of the 32 member countries — but it does have a fleet of 14 AWACS early warning radar surveillance planes that are about 50 years old, along with some newer surveillance drones.
A deal to replace the aging planes was announced Tuesday. Swedish manufacturer Saab will be supplying up to 10 new GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for a 10-nation consortium, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced.
