Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is entering next week's NATO summit with a diplomatic advantage, leveraging his close relationship with US President Donald Trump to secure the American leader's attendance and potentially advance long-stalled defense cooperation between the two countries.
Trump, who has often criticized several European leaders, said he agreed to attend the summit in Ankara largely out of respect for Erdogan, describing the Turkish president as "a hell of a leader" and a good friend.
"I would not have gone for most people," Trump said recently, adding that Erdogan personally urged him to attend, emphasizing the importance of US participation.
Trump's presence is seen as a significant boost for NATO at a time when the US president has repeatedly questioned America's military commitments in Europe and called on alliance members to spend more on defense. He has also recently criticized some NATO allies for not backing his military campaign against Iran.
Beyond diplomacy, Trump has hinted at possible announcements during his Turkey visit involving defense cooperation, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets and F-110 jet engines sought by Ankara.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 fighter jet programme in 2019 after purchasing Russia's S-400 missile defense system, prompting US concerns that the Russian equipment could compromise the aircraft's sensitive technology.
During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump suggested he may take steps that would "make (Erdogan) very happy." Vice President JD Vance also confirmed that Washington is exploring options to resume F-35 sales, provided Turkey complies with US legal requirements.
The US State Department has meanwhile notified key lawmakers of plans to move forward with a proposed sale of more than $700 million worth of F-110 jet engines, which would power Turkey's domestically developed KAAN fighter aircraft. The proposal, however, faces opposition from several members of Congress who remain concerned over Turkey's continued possession of the Russian S-400 system.
Analysts say Trump's personal rapport with Erdogan has become a defining feature of US-Turkey relations.
Philip Gordon, a former national security adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said Trump's favorable view of strongman leaders has translated into an unusually warm relationship with Erdogan.
"Erdogan is taking full advantage of it," Gordon said.
Unlike former president Joe Biden, who kept Erdogan at a distance over concerns about democratic backsliding and Ankara's ties with Moscow, Trump has maintained regular contact with the Turkish leader.
Observers say Erdogan also signaled confidence in Trump's political future by declining an invitation to visit Washington during Biden's presidency after Turkey approved Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.
Relations between Washington and Ankara have improved in other areas as well. Earlier this year, the US Justice Department dropped a major sanctions-related case against Turkey's state-owned Halkbank, while longtime Trump ally Tom Barrack was appointed US ambassador to Turkey.
Erdogan and Trump have also held frequent phone conversations on regional issues, including Syria, Gaza and broader Middle East security. Turkey has joined Trump's Board of Peace initiative aimed at overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.
Following a meeting with Trump at last year's NATO summit, Erdogan said the two leaders communicate regularly, noting that their telephone exchanges are usually returned within 24 hours.
"With my friend Trump, we are opening the door to a new era in Turkish-American relations," Erdogan said.
