Turkey says NATO adjusting to security landscape, US not withdrawing

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler views the current period not as a crisis for NATO, but as an adjustment to a dynamic security landscape. Ahead of a major NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, which Turkey will host for 32 leaders and officials from the Gulf and Asia-Pacific, Guler emphasized the alliance's continued role as a cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security.

The summit's agenda includes strengthening bloc unity, evaluating increased defense spending by allies, enhancing defense industry collaboration, and boosting support for Ukraine. Guler stressed that Ankara should be integrated into European defense initiatives.

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NATO continues to be an unparalleled and fundamental platform for Euro-Atlantic security and defence. We evaluate the period we are going through not as a crisis, but as a process of adjusting to the changing security environment.

Regarding the United States' role, Guler clarified that Washington is not planning to withdraw from NATO. Instead, he explained, the U.S. desires European allies and Canada to shoulder more responsibility for European security. This includes ensuring Turkey is a part of the continent's defense plans and initiatives.

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the U.S. had no intention of withdrawing from NATO, but that it wanted European allies and Canada to assume more responsibility for the security of Europe, which he said must include Ankara in its defence plans and initiatives.