Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Türkiye is an anchor country that can form its opinions separately from other members of the NATO alliance, and this may be helpful as the European members of the bloc mobilize amid a possible reduction in the role of the U.S., the biggest contributor to NATO.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday after a two-day visit to Russia, Fidan said European leaders trusted Türkiye, specifically President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to manage the process in July’s NATO summit in Ankara.
“There are many important issues to be discussed at the summit, and they wouldn’t be decided upon without the participation of the U.S. president. European countries believe that the most important factor ensuring Trump’s participation was the fact that the summit will be held in Türkiye. He wouldn’t come if it wasn’t for our president, for Türkiye, and his absence would be a declaration that he no longer attaches importance to (NATO),” he said. Trump often boasts about having a good relationship with Erdoğan and most recently heaped praise on the Turkish leader for “doing a good job in Syria’s recovery.”
Fidan stated that NATO roughly consisted of three groups: the United States, the European Union and other countries. “Türkiye is the only country forming its own opinion, acting as an anchor (in the third group),” the minister underlined. He added that the Ankara summit would reinforce Türkiye’s international role and its position in NATO.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday hailed progress by NATO allies to meet defense spending vows, but said some must "do more," as he struck a conciliatory tone at an alliance meeting.
"Many countries are following through, some that still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public," Hegseth said ahead of talks with NATO defense ministers in Brussels. "I think that's important, friends being honest with friends."
The warm tone will likely reassure Washington's allies ahead of the Ankara summit, after the mercurial leader lashed out at Europe over its response to his war on Iran.
NATO will look to showcase increased expenditure by Europe to prove to Trump it is progressing on a pledge last year to reach 5% of GDP on defense-related spending.
"When it comes to spending, what we are seeing is staggering amounts of money coming in," NATO chief Mark Rutte said.
"Europe and Canada are spending in 2025 more than $90 billion extra compared to 2024, which is almost a 20% increase in defense spending."
Despite the positive spin from the alliance, a NATO official said that three European countries, including Slovenia and Czechia, are currently on course to fall short of a crucial two percent threshold this year.
Washington has been clear with Europe that it wants NATO allies on the continent to take over primary responsibility for their own conventional defense as the U.S.' focus shifts toward China. As part of that process, the Pentagon has told allies it is reducing the number of assets worldwide that it makes available to NATO. The U.S. move has sparked fear it could leave Europe vulnerable in the face of an aggressive Russia as allies still rely on Washington for some key weaponry. Rutte said that while the U.S. reductions were "immediate," it didn't mean that Washington wouldn't be there if NATO faced an attack. "Then all allies, including the U.S., will max out what they can do to make sure we can fight the war," he said.
U.S. and German media reported that the cuts include a third of the 150 U.S. F-16 and F-15 jets designated for NATO, plus refuelling and reconnaissance aircraft, bombers and drones. The reports said a submarine that can launch cruise missiles is also being taken out, along with one of two aircraft carrier groups. "By and large, we'll be able to compensate for many things. But we need a bit more time, and that is the clear message," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
"It is difficult and dangerous for the security of NATO territory in Europe if capabilities are withdrawn very quickly without it being clear when they can be offset."
While NATO focuses on its own security, allies will also hold talks on bolstering support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join a meeting of Kyiv's military backers at NATO later in the day before heading to a summit of EU leaders. Ukraine is hoping to build on momentum from a positive meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump at the G-7 in Evian to secure more backing in its fight with Russia.
Russian-Turkish ties
Fidan also commented on his visit, where he met his counterpart Sergey Lavrov, was received by President Vladimir Putin, and held talks with top security officials and businesspeople. He described the visit as fruitful and assured that there was no change in Turkish-Russian relations. “Bilateral talks indicated that we have problems working together on regional issues. Both countries are willin…
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