Donald Trump told reporters that one of the main reasons he is attending the NATO summit in Türkiye is to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Trump said that Erdoğan is a close friend and a leader he deeply respects, adding that this relationship was a key factor motivating his decision to attend the summit.
Speaking to reporters, Trump praised Erdoğan and said that the United States and Türkiye can further strengthen their bilateral relations in various fields, particularly in defense cooperation.
The NATO summit is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Ankara. A number of world leaders are expected to attend the meeting, where discussions will focus on global security, regional conflicts, and expanding cooperation among NATO member states.
Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about strengthening defense and strategic relations between the United States and Türkiye.