Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hosted world leaders to the 36th Nato heads of state and government summit during July 7-8, using a high-profile home stage at this palace in the Bestepe district of Turkey’s capital, Ankara, to advance a sweeping diplomatic agenda alongside his US counterpart Donald Trump.

The summit officially commenced on July 7 following a welcoming ceremony and a family photograph session hosted by Erdogan. The proceedings followed a formal reception and official dinner hosted by Turkey’s president and First Lady Emine Erdogan.

Also on July 7, a bilateral meeting was held between Erdogan and Trump. The meeting, which was concluded with a co-chaired delegation session, signaled Trump’s commitment to roll back punitive measures against Ankara.

CAATSA sanctions

During the press meeting, Trump reiterated that he intends to dismantle longstanding economic barriers against Erdogan.

“We're going to be taking the sanctions off,” Trump stated when questioned about Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) measures.

The shift opens the door to unresolved defense procurement frictions between the two capitals. Erdogan expressed confidence that the summit would yield progress on the delivery of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and propulsion systems for Turkey’s domestic KAAN fighter programme.

"The F-35 issue is not a new issue for us," Erdogan said, noting that Türkiye had previously been promised five aircraft.

"President Trump also made us a promise... I believe that, Inshallah, a favorable decision on the F-35 issue will come out of this leaders’ summit," he added.

“My friend happens to be a very strong leader, a very strong person”

“Turkey has become under President Erdogan a very powerful country militarily,” Trump said.

He also explicitly linked his attendance at the summit to his personal relationship with the Turkish host.

“I was very disappointed with Nato," he said, adding: "Frankly, if it were not held in Türkiye, where my friend happens to be a very strong leader, a very strong person, it is possible that I would not have attended."

He also said that the US’ relations with Ankara are currently "better than ever," telling Erdogan directly: "You are a respected leader all over the world."