Trump arrives in Ankara for high-stakes NATO summit

United States President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday ahead of a crucial NATO summit, where alliance leaders are expected to press ahead with fresh defence spending commitments aimed at strengthening transatlantic security cooperation.

According to an AFP correspondent, Trump landed at 1:51 p.m. local time (1051 GMT) aboard his newly acquired Qatari-gifted Air Force One, marking his first foreign trip using the aircraft.

He was received at the airport by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan alongside a ceremonial presidential guard dressed in blue and red uniforms.

Trump is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Erdogan at the Turkish presidential palace before joining other NATO leaders for an official dinner ahead of the alliance’s main summit session on Wednesday.

The visit marks Trump’s first official trip to Ankara, where he was welcomed with elaborate state ceremonies, including guards dressed in historical warrior costumes outside the presidential palace.

The sprawling palace, known for its grand architecture, marble interiors and ornate decorations, is regarded as one of Turkey’s most prestigious government buildings.

The two-day NATO summit comes a year after member states committed to increasing defence-related spending to five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) following sustained pressure from Trump for European allies to contribute more to collective security.

Ahead of the summit, NATO member countries announced new multi-billion-dollar arms contracts and highlighted increased military spending in an effort to demonstrate their commitment to burden-sharing within the alliance.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said European members were fulfilling their commitments by boosting defence budgets and assuming greater responsibility for the continent’s security amid continued concerns over Russia and broader regional instability.

The summit is expected to focus on defence financing, regional security, and the future direction of the military alliance.

(AFP)