Erdoğan to save NATO in Ankara, allies hope

European NATO allies are looking to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to salvage an upcoming summit in Ankara, hoping his strong relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump can smooth over potential discord. Erdoğan, once a source of friction within NATO for his vetoes, is now seen as crucial for managing discussions, particularly given Trump's unpredictable nature and his criticism of European allies.

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Erdoğan's ability to keep Trump's interest in NATO at the forefront of many European allies' discussions.

Trump has previously praised Erdoğan, stating he has "done everything I've asked him to do." He also highlights Turkey's significant military strength, the second-largest in NATO after the U.S. This dynamic has led European leaders to place their hopes on Erdoğan's ability to keep Trump engaged and prevent the summit from derailing.

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Only out of respect for Erdoğan am I even attending the summit.

Experts suggest that a "smooth summit" is the primary goal, and even a standard concluding statement without major disruptions would be considered a success. However, Trump's volatility and his tendency to criticize allies and NATO itself make achieving this goal challenging. The deep transatlantic divisions mean that a low-key outcome is the best Europeans can hope for.

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Erdoğan has always done everything I've asked him to do.

Despite concerns about Erdoğan's autocratic leadership style and his crackdown on Turkish opposition, European nations appear willing to overlook these issues to ensure a stable NATO summit. Trump, in particular, shows no reservations, having previously stated he attends summits out of respect for Erdoğan.

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People don't realize how big Turkey is militarily.